Steadfast Patience

Steadfast Patience

The third virtue is steadfast patience, and this when a man suffering from injuries inflicted or spoken to him does not want to concern himself with taking revenge.  Rather he loves everyone in general, and prays for them all.  This virtue makes a man a sheep of Christ.  Reason: Because a sheep is a most patient animal, for if harassed while eating, or if struck, it does not defend itself, but goes elsewhere, nor does it avenge itself like a dog or a goat would do, but humbly yields.  O blessed is the person, man or woman, who has such patience, and takes no vengeance for injuries, but forgives, as God forgives him.  Therefore the Apostle Paul writes: "If it be possible, as much as is in you, have peace with all men. 

Defend not yourselves," the Gloss has "revenge not...," "my dearly beloved; but give place unto wrath, for it is written: Revenge is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.  But if your enemy be hungry, give him to eat; if he thirst, give him to drink," (Rom 12:18-20), like a sheep.  

Note: "Revenge is mine."  And so a man ought not to usurp the rights of God, otherwise etc. 

Temporal lords  and judges can inflict and ought to inflict juridical vengeance with due process, because justice is enforced without sin.  Also the remission of injuries is meritorious.  For the patient ones are likened to Christ, about which Isaiah 53 said: "He shall be led as a sheep to the slaughter, and shall be dumb as a lamb before his shearer, and he shall not open his mouth," (v. 7).  So the apostle [Peter], "you should follow his steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. Who, when he was reviled, did not revile: when he suffered, he threatened not," (1Pt 2:21-23).

By St. Vincent Ferrer O.P.
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