[Greek] μακροθυμέω (makrothymeō), [Latin] patiens, [Latin] habere patientiam (to have patience), [Latin] longanimitas, [French] endurer, [French] souffrir

[Greek] μακροθυμέω (makrothymeō), [Latin] patiens, [Latin] habere patientiam (to have patience), [Latin] longanimitas, [French] endurer, [French] souffrir: to be patient, to be long-suffering, to be slow, to endure; Mt.18:26,29, Lk.18:7, 1Cor.13:4, 1Thess.5:14, Heb.6:15, Jas.5:7-8, 2Pet.3:9

St. Paisios (1924-1994) was canonized on Jan 13, 2025

Background information:

Greek Hellenism: This term means to have patience, to have forced acceptance, to have resignation, to put off, to put up with hardship, to procrastinate, and to persevere.

Old Testament: This term means to be patient, to be long-suffering, and to delay one’s wrath. This term is primarily used for God’s patience/wrath with man.

God:

1. The mercy and wrath constitute the two poles with define God’s relationship with man.
2. Alongside wrath there is a divine restraint which postpones it.
3. God’s mercy/wrath is often determined by shortness of human life and weakness of human character.
4. God’s patience is a gift of God.
5. God may unleash His wrath if it serves to initiate His providence (punishment, correction, or conversion).

Man:

1. The Wisdom literature requires that man show prudence and patience.
2. Man should not allow his anger to break forth. He should restrain it.
3. Long-suffering is a quality of prudence.
4. Secular use: the Roman soldier conveys a warlike virtue.

New Testament: This term means to be patient, to be slow to answer, and to delay.

Scripture:

Mt.18:26: “The servant fell down, did his master homage and said,’ Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’”

Parable of the unforgiving servant:

1. The servant pleaded for his master to show him patience (mercy).
2. The master forgave the servant’s loan.
3. This servant refused to show patience (mercy) to his fellow servant. This servant put him in prison until he paid his debt.
4. The master learned that this servant failed to show patience (mercy) to his fellow servant.
5. The master handed this servant over to torturers until he paid his debt.
6. The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king who settles his accounts with his servants.
7. The heavenly Father’s forgiveness, already given, will be withdrawn at the judgment for those who have not shown forgiveness.

Lk.18:7: “Will not God then secure the rights of His chosen ones who call out to Him day and night? We He be slow to answer them?” (This pertains to the importance of persistent prayer [in calling out to God]. God bears long, shows patience [mercy], and suffers with His chosen. He will vindicate those who experience trials and affliction.)

1Thess.5:14: “We urge you brothers, admonish the idle, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all.” (We are called to show concern patience, and respect toward others. We are called to give due respect to those in authority. But criticism must be given when the need arises.)

Heb.6:15: “After patient waiting, Abraham obtained the promise.” (Because of his faithfulness to God, Abraham received God’s promise of multiplying his descendants as numerous as the stars. [Gen.12:1-3])

Jas.5:7: “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and late rains.” (One must be long-patient in your suffering and oppression. One also must be enduring in your courage, vigor, and forbearance. One should also look at the example of others who have persevered.)

2Pet.3:9: “The Lord does not delay His promise, as some regard “delay”, but He is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (The false teachers tried to justify their immorality by stating that the Lord’s coming has not [and will not come]. However, the Lord is patient, not wishing that one will not perish and that one can come to repentance.)

Conclusion:

Patient, patience, endure, endurance, long, suffer

Old Testament: God’s relationship with can often vary on a continuum from patience (mercy) to wrath.

Update: Oftentimes we often feel like that God has this “annoying” habit of working slower than we want when we need help from Him.

We are all reminded that we need to pray for the soul of Pope Francis, who will be accountable to God for his actions (good and bad) during his papacy.

We are also called to pray for the new pope and for all those clergy who are in authority. These clergy are even more responsible for their actions.

 I think many of us often fall into the category of those saying to God, “Lord, why are you taking so long. Help me!”

We often also forget or overlook to respond to others in mercy. I am pretty sure we will be reminded by Him of those times when we have failed to do this.

Some people struggle in how to pray. Then there are others who constantly pray.

My final thoughts:

1. The great issue of our times is: Do we want to have a [traditional Church] that should MOVE THE WORLD? Or do we want to have a [worldly] Church that MOVES WITH THE WORLD?
2. Do we want a synodal Church made in the image of man and his lived experiences? Inclusivity, democratization of Church structure and decision making authority. Does this also mean changing Church doctrine to suit man’s needs and lifestyles? This sounds like a recipe for disaster!
3. This battle has been continuing since Pope Pius IX papacy (1846- to present). The Modernists have been seeking to remake Jesus’ Church to adapt to the world.
4. We must not loose sight that Pope Francis has essentially stacked the deck in selecting the Cardinals who picked Pope Leo XIV.
5. This new pope could essentially be Pope Francis II (under the guise of a new papal name). Pope Francis and his papacy has been appropriately criticized for liturgical confusion, chaos, and division in the Church. This could just be a new rebranding of further progressive synodality for the Church.
6. These valid criticisms against Synodality will no doubt will continue if Pope Leo XIV and his papacy seek to continue with synodal reform and renewal.
7. It remains to be seen how Pope Leo XIV and his papacy will respond to the Holy Spirit-guided lay movement toward Tradition and reverence. This movement is being lead by the younger generations. Will Pope Leo XIV continue Pope Francis’ suppression of traditional orders? This did not bode well for Pope Francis.
8. This has also become a generational battle between the younger people favoring Tradition against the older generation favoring Vatican II and Synodality.
9. It has to be said that Synodality becomes the inevitable result and consequences of Vatican II (bringing in “fresh air” into the Church so that the Church “can get with the times.”)
10. We only need to look at the German Church to seek the dire consequences of Synodality. The German Church is “reforming” and “renewing” itself into doctrinal heresy, ruin, and irrelevance.
11. It remains to be seen how Pope Leo XIV responds to the people desire to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass. Many people already consider these papal restrictions against Tradition as a trial.
12. We also must not forget that the future Pope Leo XIV was in charge of the Dicastry of Bishops when Bishop Strickland was removed from office. Something to consider.