The hearer of instruction from the word of God, who receives what he hears in a sincere and earnest heart, and seeks to hold it fast, will have to bring forth fruit in patience. This is both a most valuable and a most difficult attainment, for to wait is usually harder than to work on and obey. The husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth. To become a good and truly profited hearer; that is a good doer of the instructions received from Holy Scripture, requires long and much patience. But the longer we wait with perseverance in prayer and watchfulness, the more excellent will be the spiritual result, as regards our own state before God and growth in grace. For God is not unjust to forget our work and labour of love. If we persevere according to patience in good work, laying to heart what we learn, and bringing it to bear on our daily life, turning it, so to speak, into use for the regulation of our own Christian temper and conduct, we shall certainly reap the benefit. We shall grow in grace and in the knowledge (that most blessed knowledge) of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Be patient, therefore, in well doing; be steadfast in every good word and work; establish your hearts before Him who has called you unto His kingdom and glory. Hold fast what you receive of instruction in the truth of God, and it will not be lost upon you; but the evil one and the world are always at hand to get it from you.
- text taken from Daily Bread - Bring a Few Morning Meditations for the Use of Catholic Christians by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp