Patient endurance.

Reflections upon the virtue of patience (from another source).

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"A monk can allow himself to become depressed to the point of desperation, or he can punish himself and others by becoming angry at everything he sees as a factor in his sorry condition, or he can dedicate himself to a life of unceasing escapism, throwing himself into work and hobbies and mindless entertainments to such a degree that the pain is temporarily assuaged. In any case he has ceased to operate as a monk; he is the plaything of his own anxieties.

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The solution, if he retains any interest in finding one, is to be found in a realistic confidence in the providence of God, who leaves even serious faults in persons otherwise 'holy', and allows those whose confidence is in themselves to perceive the hollowness of their boast. All that comes from the hand of God is good, even when it bears to the light the ignominy of human weakness.

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Ambrose of Milan: 'There are many who seek Christ in times of quiet and do not find him, but they find him in persecutions and find him quickly. The same is true after temptations since God is present to his faithful in their dangers.' It goes against all our theoretical conceptions of lineal progress in the spiritual life, but the strange fact is that God seems more present when things are at their worst. Negative situations have the potential to be transformed by the impress of the cross of Christ.

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Therefore, 'bear one another's burdens, and so you will fulfil the law of Christ'. (Gal 6:2)" - Michael Casey, O.C.S.O