The virtue of perseverance, one knot at a time

A friend of mine recently spent the better part of a day (and night) untangling one of those impossibly fine gold chains -- the kind that seem to twist themselves into a stubborn knot the moment you look away. He’d pick it up whenever he had a free moment, carefully rolling the delicate links between his fingers, searching for the thread that would begin to loosen the tangle.

As he worked, he found himself praying, Mary, Undoer of Knots, help me. He wasn’t just thinking about the physical chain in his hands, but all the other knots in his life – the worries, the misunderstandings, the habits he struggled to break. He found a kind of comfort in this small, repetitive effort, as if each careful tug at the metal links mirrored a deeper, spiritual work happening in his heart and mind.

The devotion to Mary under this title has deep roots. It’s inspired by a 17th-century painting in Augsburg, Germany, where Mary is depicted gently untying a long, tangled ribbon. The image captures her role as a patient, steady guide through life’s troubles – a mother who never gives up on us, even when our lives feel hopelessly twisted.

Mary’s life itself was a testament to perseverance. She said “yes” to a life of profound uncertainty, trusting God even as her path led through fear, exile, and unimaginable grief. She did not know every twist and turn ahead, but she believed that the threads of her life were held by a loving God.

Perseverance is more than just stubbornness. It’s the quiet strength to keep going, even when the outcome is unclear. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, based on Hebrews 11:1, calls faith the “realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” It’s the patience to work through the knots, if you will, trusting that each small, careful movement matters, even when progress feels painfully slow.

As my friend returned to his chain throughout the day, his fingers growing sore and his patience stretched, he found himself reflecting on this deeper truth. It’s not just about the task at hand, but about a larger willingness to trust that every small effort, every tiny victory, is part of a greater work of grace.

Late in the evening, the final knot gave way, and the chain fell smoothly into his palm, free at last. He held it for a moment, feeling the cool, uninterrupted links slip through his fingers, and whispered a quiet prayer of thanks.

This small, persistent effort – this choice to keep going even when the knots felt impossible – became a kind of prayer, a day-long conversation with God about patience, hope, and the slow work of grace.

So, the next time you find yourself wrestling with a tangled mess – literal or metaphorical – remember that perseverance isn’t just about enduring. It’s about trusting that each effort, no matter how small, can move you closer to freedom, one untangled link at a time.