“A great artist conceives and produces his masterpieces, so do the scientist and the scholar communicate their intuitions and discoveries and share their spirit with their disciples. In the same manner the virtuous man inspires others to virtue and the apostle, passionately in love with goodness, give the best of himself to the souls of his fellow man to lead them to God.” Fr. Reginald Garrigou
Now that the holiday seasons are wrapped up and many of us have put away our seasonal decorations, the church enters ordinary time. Adding to this, the weather in January has not included much sunshine, making the days that are getting longer seem even shorter.
Ordinary time in the liturgical year is called “ordinary”, but really is a time of learning and growing (appropriate for the color green). We hear in the Mass readings about Jesus’ teaching through His words and actions.
Our first year of Education in Virtue is focusing on the learning the virtues. This program will be a path to conversion for us as we practice what we are learning. Virtues are the solution to overcoming the seven capital sins of pride, envy, anger, acedia, avarice, gluttony and lust. Training to do well on a multiplication test or in an athletic competition, requires building up a strength in a particular area. Our practice of obedience overcomes pride (self-love) and kindness overcomes envy (desire to have it for oneself) and so on.
This study of virtue is a framework that is a way of life. Just as the Liturgical Calendar gives us Ordinary Time to listen to the preaching of Christ in the Gospel and call our attention to His healing, virtue will develop balance, insight, empathy and resilience in us. This will be a great journey.
Growing in virtue, through God’s infinite grace,
Kathy Rhodes
