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“Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord” (Psalm 70:1). These words, repeated throughout the Liturgy of the Hours, express the urgency of a soul in need of divine intervention. In the rhythm of our prayer life, we often call upon the Lord to act quickly, to come to our aid without delay. Far from being a lack of patience, this plea for haste reveals a profound truth about the human condition and our relationship with God.
Haste in the spiritual sense is not mere impatience. It is, instead, a recognition of our absolute dependence on God. When we cry out to God for haste, we acknowledge that His presence and action are not only desirable, but necessary for our salvation. This urgency is simply the soul’s longing for God – a longing that cannot be postponed or delayed.
In Scripture, we find haste intertwined with the hope of the Lord’s return. The cry “Maranatha,” which means “Come, Lord,” is a powerful invocation found in the early Christian tradition. It expresses the Church’s eager anticipation of Christ’s return, the fulfillment of His promises. The New Testament is replete with exhortations to be watchful, to be ready, for “the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect” (Luke 12:40).
While patience is undoubtedly a virtue, it is important to understand that patience in the classical sense (and in Late Antiquity in general) is about finding the right balance. It is about enduring trials with steadfastness, but it is also about knowing when to act, when to move. There are moments when haste is virtuous, when delay would mean missing the opportunity to act accordingly – even to respond to God’s call. Consider the apostles who, when called by Jesus, “immediately left their nets and followed him” (Matthew 4:20). Their haste was not reckless but rooted in the awareness that the time to follow Christ was now.
In our spiritual journey, we must discern when to wait and when to act quickly. Haste becomes a virtue when it is driven by love. As we continue to pray, “Make haste, O God, to deliver me,” let us also be willing to make haste in our response to His call, knowing that the time for salvation is always at hand. May our hearts echo with the ancient cry, “Maranatha,” as we eagerly await the Lord’s return.
