Bearing patiently with troublesome people: sixth Work of Mercy

The Works of Mercy through the eyes of a biblical scholar

We have reached the sixth spiritual Work of Mercy, which we will analyze thanks to the contribution of biblical scholar Carlo Miglietta. These insights take place in the context of the gathering being held in Lucca, aimed at producing practical tools to spread the works throughout the world, particularly wherever spazio + spadoni is active with the HIC SUM projects.

The sixth spiritual Work of Mercy is “bearing patiently with troublesome people”

The biblical scholar points out that whoever carries out this work is akin to:

• God: “Have I not held my peace and closed my eyes?” (Is 57:11); “Is the patience of the Lord exhausted?” (Mic 2:7); “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” (Rom 2:4); “The Lord is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9); “God bore with great patience the objects of his wrath” (Rom 9:22; cf. 3:25-26).
• Jesus: “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance” (2 Thess 3:5).
• The Prophets: “Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord” (Jas 5:10).
• Job: “As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about” (Jas 5:11).

Whoever patiently bears with troublesome people listens to the Word of God

Below are some excerpts:

• “A quick-tempered person does foolish things, but the one who reflects remains patient” (Prov 14:17).
• “Woe to you who have lost your patience; what will you do when the Lord comes to reckon with you?” (Sir 2:14).
• “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience” (Gal 5:22).
• “The testing of your faith produces perseverance” (Jas 1:3-4).
• “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character” (Rom 5:3).
• “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak” (Rom 15:1).
• “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another in love” (Eph 4:1-2).
• “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col 3:12).
• “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Tim 6:11).
• “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance” (2 Tim 3:10).
• “Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance” (Tit 2:2).
• “Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Cor 13:7).

The biblical scholar concludes this work with a challenging question: do we know how to be “fishers of men” (Mk 1:17), recognizing those who practice patience and proclaiming to them the beatitude of Mercy: “Blessed are the merciful” (Mt 5:7)?

Patience is the virtue of the strong

This work is the only one to incorporate an adverb, “patiently,” signifying duration and continuity, “for a prolonged time.”

Patience and meekness were central teachings of Jesus: “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Mt 5:40-42).

Bearing with a difficult person and their flaws is challenging; it unsettles us because it feels as though it shatters our plans, preventing us from doing what we want, plan, and deem right.

Luigina Tomiola reminds us that bearing with others is not passive resignation, but an active response: a welcoming and respectful posture that requires inner balance and emotional restraint to support those who have lost their own equilibrium.

Photo by Deniz Demirci – Unsplash

Source: Carlo Miglietta – The Works of Mercy