FORTY-FIFTH LESSON
On Patience and Courage.
"In your patience you shall possess your souls."—ST. LUKE 21:19
Is there any one amongst you, my children, whose heart is not touched by the account of some fine action, of some act of generosity or courage? Is there a single one who can help being struck with admiration at the heroic constancy of the martyrs; the warlike valor of heroes? Most assuredly, it is natural that these grand recollections should produce a vivid impression on children, whose education has been cared for, and should inspire them with the wish one day to imitate such noble examples. But it is a great mistake to think that courage is only useful during war, or in very great perils. You must show courage even in the most ordinary and habitual circumstances of life. Courage, my dear children, is not only self-reliance, valor, audacity: it is also resignation and meekness under disappointments and sufferings; it is the effort made over self to accomplish a duty. These different kinds of courage are necessary to every one, and at every age. Even children often find opportunities of exercising them. Let us try to convince you of this by familiar examples chosen from your own experience.
You are expecting a day's treat. The time comes; some unexpected circumstance overthrows all your plans: the weather is bad; your friends could not come. It is hard, I know, to give up a long-expected pleasure; but after all, it is no one's fault, and it cannot be helped. Is it then courageous, is it even right, to be in despair about a slight disappointment, as if it were a real misfortune, to be all day long in a bad temper and cross—to make others suffer for a disappointment they have had nothing to do with? To be courageous in this case, my children, would be to accept cheerfully the state of things, and to say: "Well, another time we shall be more fortunate!" the true Christian child would even say: "My God, I have sometimes offended thee during my recreations: is it for this reason thou spoilest my amusement today? May Thy holy will be done!"
The sufferings to which we are exposed, my children, give us other opportunities of exercising our patience. Good or bad health comes equally from God: we must take advantage of each, to work out our salvation, and further the designs of Providence.
The first thing to be done in sickness, is to submit to the holy and ever adorable will of God; to accept with calmness and resignation, from the hand of God, the sufferings He sends you. You will not dare complain too much of your state, my dear children, if you reflect on the tortures our Lord endured for our sake. The tranquillity arising from these pious thoughts will alleviate your sufferings, whilst, on the contrary, agitation, or impatience, would undoubtedly increase them, and would thus render your case more difficult to cure.
A second duty of invalids, is not to refuse what the doctors prescribe, and to submit to the precautions they recommend. Though this may be ever so disagreeable, it is still more painful to suffer. And besides, if this reason be not sufficient for you, dear children, try to submit for your parents' sake, for your parents who are so grieved to see you ill, and who can only be rewarded for their tender care by your return to health. My children, do not, as some children too often do, let the period of your convalescence be a time entirely given up to caprice and idleness. If it be impossible to resume your studies, at least try to busy your mind with salutary reflections. How many poor children, for instance, have not, like you when they are ill, kind parents and affectionate friends to take care of them, talented medical men to prescribe for them, a warm bed to lie down in, and many means of amusement.
If you had never been ill yourselves, perhaps you would never have pitied those that are ailing. Perhaps also you never would have known, as now, how dear you are to your family.
These are really the good effects of sufferings endured with courage.
You see, my children, we are in constant need of this virtue. Be careful to acquire it; try every day to exercise it on yourselves.
Your defects or sinful inclinations are the enemies you must fight: be full of zeal to conquer them. Instead of that praiseworthy ardor, which is but too often wanting, alas! try to show at least that good will which is a kind of courage; this virtue, will neither be seen or admired by others, but God, who leaves no effort unrewarded, will know how to reward you.
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