Patience is necessary in this life because so much of life is fraught with adversity. No matter how hard we try, our lives will never be without strife and grief. Thus, we should not strive for a peace that is without temptation, or for a life that never feels adversity. Peace is not found by escaping temptations, but by being tried by them. We will have discovered peace when we have been tried and come through the trial of temptation.

If thou hadst a good conscience thou wouldst not greatly fear death.

All men desire peace, but very few desire those things that make for peace.

At the least bear patiently, if thou canst not joyfully.

A disciple once complained, "You tell us stories, but you never reveal their meaning to us." The master replied, "How would you like it if someone offered you fruit and then chewed it up for you before giving it to you?" If your heart is straight with God, then every creature will be to you a mirror of life and a book of holy doctrine.

So passes away the glory of this world. ('Sic transit gloria mundi.')

Ah, Lord God, thou holy lover of my soul, when thou comest into my heart, all that is within me shall rejoice.