How can I have patience with the public?

"Spiritual life today is the same as in the 16th century, or the first century. Christians today have the same means as the first Christians, the ones who lived with Jesus, and as Twelve Apostles, who could still hear his breath as he died on the Cross... We've progressed in everything including business companies, but not in the interior life."

A short clip from a get-together with Saint Josemaria in Brazil.

Father, I work in the security section of a big company. How can I have patience with the public? How can I attend to everyone with Christian charity, with a permanent smile, while not weakening when I have to ensure that they keep the rules?

My son, that's no small thing you've said. That's a whole program of sanctification in carrying out one's work. I'm not embarrassed to say that sometimes, just for a little, I put on a cilice. You are silent, as if I'd said something terrible.

Spiritual life today is the same as in the 16th century, or the first century. We have the same means as in other times. Christians today have the same means as the first Christians, the ones who lived with Jesus, and as Twelve Apostles, who could still hear his breath as he died on the Cross. There's nothing more. We've progressed in everything including business companies, but not in the interior life.

I can tell you that very often, an even bigger mortification than the cilice, is having to smile. You are a great Christian if you always smile. God bless you! But don't only smile to be liked, or to sell more, but for love of Jesus Christ, because you know that you have the duty to contribute to everyone's happiness, because we can't be selfish.

If it is wrong to cut the wings of love out of selfishness, for the sake of pleasure, it is also wrong to shut ourselves up in our own selfishness. You've shown me that you're not selfish, you're concerned about presenting things well, being friendly, forgiving people when they're difficult, and God gives you the skill of making things attractive when you want to sell them, right?