Father Horn pressed a fat thumb into my chest, “How many days did it take the good Lord to make the world?” The larger man bellowed.

I answered dryly “Seven.” He sniffed, recoiling the digit back over the oak desk. He glanced at the large tome taking up most of his attention. “Good, so what was your mistake brother?” He chirped.

He couldn't be serious. Flung into this role without notice, only in my fourth year of holy orders. I kept it civil “I don't see the relation.”

“And you're a Jesuit-trained?” He chuckled, now admiring the book. His eyes completely parted from mine. He had a large egg-shaped shaved head sitting on two long broad shoulders, this gave Father Horn more in common with Humpty Dumpty before the great fall. Completely hairless, snapping at six feet even, he intimidated most. Including me.

I tried again “Did I miss something in the rite?”

He went back to his train of thought. “Why not six? Or five? Why not just blink the world into being like St. Augustine thought? Do it in a moment, save the trouble! Why a week?”

“I doubt know.” Might as well be honest, I figured.

“Because the Lord took His time. He didn't need to, but wanted to. Patience is a virtue-“ he coughed at the dust spiraling in his office, “right? Patience is long suffering, holding to God all night like Jacob. It wishes for no reward unto itself and helps produce the fruit of the Spirit. patient like Christ, we are called to wait on the Lord and His timing, along with being patient with one another.”

I nodded still not understanding. He picked up on it.

“The exorcism didn’t take because you rushed. Not your fault, being engaged in spiritual warfare for hours on end isn’t pleasant. But think of the seven deadly sins, can any survive patience? Wont Lust fizzle out? Or will Wrath pass by in its due course? Envy won’t stay as a desire for too long. Sloth will try to cling but eventually, you will be patient at work. Greed requires a high so outwait it. Gluttony? Ha! This want too shall pass.” He leaned back to pack a pipe. “Yes-“ he continued, “Pride wants it all right now. To be God in a moment. Yet patience, working with the other virtues kills them all! Inch by inch, little by little, hand in hand with Humility and love, patience is part of the correct order. A true product of the Holy Spirit. It will hold a Christian up.”

It made sense. I was scared and tired then. I didn’t want to help, I wanted to leave.

“Haste is, as if, another deadly sin?”

“There you go. It’s hard but do the work. Walk with God while the Devil says to run.”