The twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit are a little difficult to remember off-hand; this is partly due, I'm sure, to the fact that there are so many different descriptions of them. I looked them up in the Catechism:
No mention of forbearance. Next I tried the Simple Prayer Book produced by the CTS:
I finally looked up Galatians 5:22-23 (Douay-Rheims)
Fr. Tim had mentioned to me that forbearance was sometimes described as "long-suffering." By doing a compare-and-contrast, and using a bit of common sense, it seems that forbearance is actually the "generosity" mentioned in the Catechism (not a meaning of the word which had ever occurred to me) and the "longanimity" of the Douay-Rheims.
1832 The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. The tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: "charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity."
No mention of forbearance. Next I tried the Simple Prayer Book produced by the CTS:
Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Goodness, Kindness, Long-suffering, Mildness, Faith, Modesty, Self-Control, Chastity.
I finally looked up Galatians 5:22-23 (Douay-Rheims)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is, charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, modesty, continency, chastity."
Fr. Tim had mentioned to me that forbearance was sometimes described as "long-suffering." By doing a compare-and-contrast, and using a bit of common sense, it seems that forbearance is actually the "generosity" mentioned in the Catechism (not a meaning of the word which had ever occurred to me) and the "longanimity" of the Douay-Rheims.
Now, I'd always considered the gift of being long-suffering as a bit of a wishy-washy, insipid sort of gift to have. And what was the difference between long-suffering and patience anyway?
Sunday's sermon really brought it home to me. Forbearance isn't just "putting up with things" in a resigned, wishy-washy manner. It is accepting difficulties, insults and slights, when they are not deserved. That is what makes it generosity. It is the ultimate antidote to the blame culture.
Fr. Tim told us that sometimes the devil stirs up resentments and ill-feeling, even among very good people, by making them feel hard-done-by and unjustly treated. Forbearance means swallowing one's pride, and refusing to allow a sense of grievance to develop. He used an example from his school days, when he was caned for something he didn't do. "Ah yes," was his mother's reply, "but think of the times when you did do something, and didn't get caned."
To accept adversity and insult when it isn't deserved, to accept them calmly and with equanimity, because there may have been times when such adversity and insult would have been deserved, well, I think I can now see that this is far from being wishy-washy.
God, grant me forbearance.
Oh my - this is so something I need to cultivate and learn. Thanks, Mac!!
ReplyDeleteWould you put forbearance and faith in the same category. It takes faith to love someone when they irritate us and we're afraid of getting hurt again. It takes faith to be kind and open hearted when we're tired of unpleasant people and we're afraid of what our kindnesses might lead to. It takes faith to persevere in a marriage when stresses in the relationship make us afraid of the spouse's rejection or misunderstanding or betrayal or emotional outbursts. Loving deeds requiring faith/forbearance won't always produce the results that we'd like to see, and we will get hurt when we try to love unconditionally. So do we need faith for forbearance or are they so inter-related that it would be difficult to separate them.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth - I think that faith (as one of the fruits of the Spirit) is more about religious faith...
ReplyDeleteMost enlightening,I see that I too, need to pray for the gift of forbearance.
ReplyDeleteAnd I like your description of forbearance as the ultimate antidote to the blame culture, must remember that!
"The twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit are a little difficult to remember off-hand"
ReplyDeleteNo kidding. It's easier to remember the list of the 7 Dwarfs.
[Good post!]
Timely advice...I'm still struggling with the after effects of the bullying at my last job and that post is many times better than any "therapy" I have received.
ReplyDeleteThank you.