In Siddhartha, a famous novel written by Hermann Hesse, the story revolves around a young man who was born and raised in a traditional Hindu family. Like Saint Augustine, he was on a quest to discover truth and love. Led by the thought that material worth would give him happiness and fulfillment in life, Siddhartha approached a merchant named Kamaswami. Knowing him as a wanderer, the merchant enquired whether he had any capital to venture into business. Siddhartha’s answer was noteworthy: “I can think. I can fast. I can wait.”
The ability to wait is a virtue, a capital. Waiting is not an easy task. In our ‘fast-food culture,’ we look for instant solutions to problems. Just consider how even waiting for the traffic signal to turn green makes us restless. Grace is only given to those who wait patiently.
The Savior was born amidst a nation that awaited His coming for a very long time. Christ Himself urges us to wait patiently: to wait for the promised Holy Spirit, for the new Heaven and the new Earth, for His second coming…Yes, waiting can be tiring. But, during this period, God will accomplish some very important things within us.
On God’s schedule, there are three time periods—planting season, growing season, and harvest season. There is always a time interval between sowing and harvesting—a time of hopeful waiting. This waiting is based on the conviction that sowing goodness won’t fail to bring about a rich harvest. Remember the words of Saint Paul: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) He will not let the eyes that wait, tear up.
Recall the prodigal son’s father. From the day the younger son leaves home, he waits at the door, day in and day out. He is in no hurry. He does not lose his patience despite not knowing when the son will return. He is certain of only one thing: no one has ever loved the son more than himself. Therefore, no matter how far he goes or whoever comes into his life, no one can love him more than his father. He will return with a heart crying out longingly for this love! If there are waiting hearts at homes, all those who have left will definitely return.
‘Everything that the dawn scatters, the twilight will gather.’ Estranged relationships, broken friendships, lost virtues…we can retrieve all these if we wait patiently. Time is a good healer!
Waiting will bring about some changes in us. Firstly, it will purify our love—love is a wine that tastes better with aging. When we wait, our love grows stronger and purer. Secondly, patience will take root in us—obstinacies will vanish. Thirdly, waiting will foster hope—we will be victorious over despair.
Heavenly Father, we surrender to You everything that troubles us. Grant us the grace to trust and wait, as You work on our circumstances for greater good. Amen.
