| Fr. Lucius Amarillas

Practicing Patience

“Knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9)

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When we were younger, as I’m sure many may have done, we used to knock on our neighbors’ doors and run away. We found much joy, but I’m sure it annoyed our neighbors we pranked. Today’s gospel gives us the imagery of knocking on a door, persisting, and waiting for a response. We are not cowering away but being patient, like a son waiting for his father‘s answer to a difficult question. It is not easy waiting, as we all know, but it is part of our journey to the Father, waiting for an answer to our prayers or a reminder that He is with us.

The rule of Saint Benedict, which monks have followed since the sixth century and are still practicing today at Saint Leo Abbey, states that a man who wishes to enter the monastery must persistently knock on the door for days before the community may let him in to ensure he is willing to be patient with the challenges ahead.

Waiting for our prayers to be answered or for the door to the Father to be opened is not merely something to drive us crazy but rather to help us become devout disciples by giving us opportunities to practice endurance and patience.

If we wish to be like Christ, why not practice being patient like Him, who also had to hang on in the loneliness of Gethsemane as He prayed to the Father? 

My Lord and my God, we need to talk; please increase my trust as I wait for You. Amen.


Fr. LuciusFather Lucius Amarillas is a monk and priest of the Order of Saint Benedict at Saint Leo Abbey, Florida. He was born in California but grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. After studying at Saint Leo University, he joined the Benedictine monastery on campus where he currently serves as the Prior and adjunct professor of theology at Saint Leo University. Along with ministering to the Saint Leo community, Father Lucius also ministers in the Diocese of Saint Petersburg by celebrating Mass and preaching retreats to adults and youth at the Saint Leo Abbey Retreat Center.