Again, Pope Francis is making my preaching life so much easier during this Lent because of the incredible gems that are coming from his homilies and actions. This morning he continued to celebrate Mass for the workers of the Vatican, and he focused on today's gospel where Judas gets angry when he sees Mary, the sister of Lazarus use an expensive liter of oil to anoint Jesus' feet. Francis noted how patient Jesus is with Judas. This is the patience that God has with us. "The emblem of the infinite patience that God has for man is reflected in the
infinite patience that Jesus has for Judas...he was patient with Judas, trying to draw him closer through patience, his love.
During Holy Week, we would do well to think of the patience of God, the patience
that God has with each one of us, with our weaknesses, our sins."
When we look back on our lives and think of all the times we have been impatient with others, especially with loved ones, and yet still turn to a loving and patient God for mercy. The beauty of this Holy Week is realizing that God never gives up on us. The Holy Father rightly compares God to the father of the prodigal son who waited for his son to return. Now is the time to return to God and reward his patience with our contrite hearts. The Pope concluded his homily by saying: "Let us think of our personal relationship, in this week: How patient has Jesus
been with me in my life? Just this. And then the words will rise from our
hearts: 'Thank you, Lord! Thank you for your patience."
