The hand of the Lord feeds me; he answers all our needs. — Psalm 145:(see 16)

Mass Readings: 2 Kings 4:42-44 / Ephesians 4:1-6 / John 6:1-15 

A Baptismal Checklist 

In today’s first reading St. Paul almost offers a checklist for those who have been baptized. He urges them “to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received.” How is a Christian to live? With humility, gentleness and patience. By “bearing with one another through love.” And by striving to “preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.” 

I suppose each of us has at least one item on that list that needs attention today. I suspect for many of us the hardest is to be patient with others. As with so many other virtues, that one takes practice. And as with learning or improving any skill, practicing it is hard! 

Prayer: Lord, give me patience as I learn to be more patient.