The Power of Waiting

The world has been forced into "waiting mode" by the Virus...but waiting is not new to human history...The Hebrews waited for centuries for the promised Messiah, but, unfortunately thus far have not recognized him when he did come. The early Christians waited it out between persecutions until at last. the Emperor Constantine lifted the ban on Christianity. And so it has gone and still goes, as we await "the vaccine" or the lessening of our lock down restrictions.
In France over a century ago a young man had a dream of being a missionary and made his desire known to his bishop, but was made a pastor in a small town in France. When he joined the Marist Fathers, he hoped they would send him to the missions, but no, he was made a spiritual director in the seminary.  Finally, in 1836, the Marists were assigned the South Pacific as their mission field and the young priest was one of the early priests to make the nearly year-long voyage, arriving on the island of Futuna. He struggled with the language and culture, but soon became fluent and began to make so many conversions that the king feared losing his position of power.  When the king's son showed favorable leanings to being baptized, the king instructed one of his henchmen to kill the priest. On this day in 1841, Father Peter Chanel, now St. Peter Chanel was clubbed to death.  His waiting was over and within a year of his martyrdom, the entire island converted to Catholicism.  To this day, the people of Futuna, where ever they may be, remain faithful followers of St. Peter Chanel and all Marists, who continue to minister effectively in the Pacific Island...The Marist Brothers also conduct successful schools in this enormous expanse of water and islands.
As we are forced to experience patience while we await our "liberation", we might look at the example of St. Peter Chanel and take heart that a "happy ending" is in store for us if we WAIT with trust.
Bro. Rene