SPIRITUAL LIFE COMMITTEE
MISSIONARY SERVANTS OF THE
MOST HOLY TRINITY
Monthly Reflection: May 2003
A Life of Virtue
Sister Brenda Hermann, MSBT
Looking at the titles of books published in the United States within the last ten years, one can see that the word 'virtue' has frequently been used within a title. It is virtuous to know how to lead a company and make it profitable, to be happily married, to be a good citizen.
The dictionary defines virtue as a "habit of doing good." For us Christian, Catholics, virtue is also about being gifted by God through Baptism and Confirmation. We speak about the gifts of Faith, Hope and Charity. These are known as "theological virtues" There are the four "cardinal virtues," the cornerstone to life as a Christian. These are Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude.
We also speak about "civic" virtue or those habits of personal living that are important for the success of the individual, the family, the community, and the society. These virtues are Self-discipline, Respect, Cooperation, Responsibility, Honesty, Motivation, Friendship, Courage, Non-violence, and Work.
Virtue is a habit of doing good. It is developed over time and only with habitual practice. While gifted with Faith, Hope, and Charity, these virtues are also deepened with usage in daily life. The mother watching her ill child suffer through chemotherapy calls upon the virtue of hope that resides within her soul. She prays for strength and her faith is reinforced. Her love deepens through her suffering and she reaches out to others waiting with her in the intensive care unit. Over time, this becomes a way of living and of seeing and responding to the world.
Daily life is a challenge. Prudence enables us to decide the good, to take stock of the consequences of our actions. Justice is a consistent decision to do what is right towards God and my neighbor, Fortitude helps to conquer fear in doing what is right, and Temperance is the virtue of balance and moderation.
Civic virtue is skill in living life, honed over time. I must learn and practice these virtues in order to meet the challenges of daily life. The quality of life that I live is enhanced as is the manner in which I engage the world. The world community is enhanced as persons in entire nations commit to the practice of virtue.
Self-discipline is virtue that allows me to continuously improve myself, making myself do right, even when no one is looking. Respect allows me to hold others in esteem; Cooperation forces me to work with others for the good of all, for the common purpose.
Responsibility is doing the things I am expected to do, that I can be counted upon. It keeps me from blaming others for my own mistakes. It allows me to take responsibility for my own life and how I help you to live your own. Honesty, developed over a life- time, allows me to live in the truth. Motivation is a virtue that pushes me to look for interesting things to do, to work diligently, to be curious to learn, to be a good steward of my time. Friendship, as a virtue, develops in me the capacity to be interested in other people, to be faithful in relationships with others, and develops within me a gift of hospitality especially to newcomers. Courage is the virtue that allows me to stand up for the Gospel, to be willing to do what is right, even when it is not the popular thing to do.
Non-violence is exercised when I do everything possible to make the world a peaceful place, be it in my family, friendships, marriage, workplace, or parish community. It is the capacity to always look for the peaceful solution.
Work as virtue is the desire to fulfill my life, to use my gifts to the fullest, to support my family and those who depend upon me as well as to creatively contribute to the good of all humanity.
Depending on our life's call, each of us will develop virtues that enable us to live holy, authentic lives in the world. Without the discipline of a virtuous life, lived by individuals as well as by groups, there would be endless chaos. Married people need virtues that enable them to live out their relationship together. Teachers, pastors, CEO's, single mothers, laborers, all need particular virtues to help them live out their daily lives. The young and the old, all ethnic groups, must live lives of virtue so that the Reign of God is visible. Cloistered nuns, active missionaries, also need virtues that support their call to mission and to ministry.
Read and reflect upon Proverbs 31: 10-25
What virtues do you see practiced?
Review your own life, what virtues come easy to you, which ones are more difficult?
What virtue do you most need in your daily life?