The Tabernacle typified God's place for the Israelites, like heaven on earth. They knew God's holy presence through the cloud that settled on the Tabernacle, the tent of meeting, and the fire that shone within it at night. In their wandering in the desert, at every stage of their journey, God's people would resume their march whenever the cloud rose from the Tabernacle. If the cloud did not rise, they waited and would not march until it did. This kind of waiting needed patience on their part and trust in God.

For us, too, we are often reminded to wait on the Lord. We may be too eager to forge ahead in our faith journey or our works of mercy. But sometimes, we need to wait for the Lord. This requires patience on our part. We need this waiting and patience because if we are too eager in our faith, we may be doing what we want rather than God's Will for us.

Patience is also needed for the fishermen who take time to sort out the fish caught in the dragnet - collecting the good ones in a basket and throwing away those of no use. Like the fishermen, we need time to discern God's Will. We need time and patience to sort out our own will to be one with the Will of God. We wait on the Lord to show us His Will.