Mother Teresa's Diligence

Every month, I update my sidebar to reflect the monthly devotion and monthly virtue. For August, the virtue is diligence. After some reflection, I decided the best picture to illustrate diligence was Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

The definition of diligence is steadfast application, assiduousness and industry. The reason I chose Mother Teresa to represent this virtue is because she was the very definition of Christian steadfastness. She worked for decades among India's dying poor, running a hospice for those who had no one to be with them in their last hours on earth.

Only after her death did we discover that she suffered from a dark night of the soul for most of her life. For decades she did not hear the voice of God, she did not sense His presence and, at times, she even doubted whether or not He was there at all.

And yet, she kept on. She cared for the poor and for the sisters in her care, she traveled and gave controversial speeches to powerful people and greeted those who came to see her. She met with her confessor and poured out her heart to him in letters.  She steadfastly worked for Christ.

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin." — Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa's Diligence

Every month, I update my sidebar to reflect the monthly devotion and monthly virtue. For August, the virtue is diligence. After some reflection, I decided the best picture to illustrate diligence was Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

The definition of diligence is steadfast application, assiduousness and industry. The reason I chose Mother Teresa to represent this virtue is because she was the very definition of Christian steadfastness. She worked for decades among India's dying poor, running a hospice for those who had no one to be with them in their last hours on earth.

Only after her death did we discover that she suffered from a dark night of the soul for most of her life. For decades she did not hear the voice of God, she did not sense His presence and, at times, she even doubted whether or not He was there at all.

And yet, she kept on. She cared for the poor and for the sisters in her care, she traveled and gave controversial speeches to powerful people and greeted those who came to see her. She met with her confessor and poured out her heart to him in letters.  She steadfastly worked for Christ.

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin." — Mother Teresa

January's Virtue--Be Perfect

"Be perfect, as your heavenly father is perfect."  (Matthew 5:48)

Has this verse from scripture given anyone else trouble?  I have always cringed a bit when reading or hearing it.  Perfect?!  Are you kidding?!  How can I be perfect?!

Then, the verse from Luke will come to mind:  "Nothing is impossible with God."  (Luke 1:37)

But still, I would ask, perfection seems a tall order, and it is.

Steven Covington, in an article in This Rock magazine says that the word perfect as used by Matthew means to be whole, complete or fully grown. It is the same word Jesus uses when talking to the Rich Young Man in Matthew 19:21 after he asks what more can he do to follow Christ.  Jesus tells him "If you want to be perfect, go, and sell what you have, give the money to the poor and then come follow me."   So many of us have the same question as the Rich Young Man--"What more can I do?"  We realize we fall far short of the mark but sometimes feel helpless to change.

The Beatitudes--Prescription for Perfection
Jesus gives this teaching to be perfect in the midst of the Sermon on the Mount. To be fully grown as people, we must follow Jesus' prescription of the virtues He outlines.  He asks us to first of all realize our fundamental need for God ("poor in spirit"), to be aware of injustice ("mourn"), to know and long for true justice ("hunger and thirst for righteousness") and to endure the persecution that will inevitably come from seeking just treatment of all.

In order to be perfect, we must be meek, merciful, pure of heart and peacemakers.  This is what it means to be perfect as God is perfect.

January is a very apt time to begin studying the acquisition of these virtues and perfection. Although seemingly counterintuitive at first glance, it is a very appropriate way to begin since perfection encompasses all the virtues within itself.

Perfection in Eastern Christianity
The Eastern Church has a theology called theosis, which touches on this concept beautifully.  St. Athanasius of Alexandria said, "The Son of God became man that we might become god," meaning that we might become "partakers of the divine nature" as stated in the second letter of Peter, 1:4.  As a means of explanation, St. Athanasius said that we are called to "become by grace what God is by nature."  This illumination is possible only through God's grace (sometimes called God's energies in the East) and is something that takes a lifetime.

This concept of perfection being a long journey is shown in the icon on the sidebar and the one to the left, of the Ladder of Divine Ascent.  Jesus is shown at the top of the ladder waiting for the people who are climbing towards Him.  We see angels helping individuals in their journey as well as demons who are trying their best to pull people off the ladder.  This is beautifully illustrative of the struggle of each Christian to stay away from sin and strive, with God's help, towards virtue.

St. John Climacus outlined thirty steps towards spiritual perfection in a sermon by the same name.  Such steps include detachment, obedience, repentance, mourning, meekness, freedom from anger and humility.

In the West, St. John of the Cross describes a similar journey to God in Ascent of Mount Carmel in which he describes the stages of prayer and eventual union with God.

Like it or not, perfection is our goal, but we are not alone.  Indeed, it *is* impossible without the help of God's constant grace through prayer and sacrament, to keep us from falling into despair and surrender.

Let's strive for holy perfection, with God's help, in 2010!

January's Virtue--Be Perfect

"Be perfect, as your heavenly father is perfect."  (Matthew 5:48)

Has this verse from scripture given anyone else trouble?  I have always cringed a bit when reading or hearing it.  Perfect?!  Are you kidding?!  How can I be perfect?!

Then, the verse from Luke will come to mind:  "Nothing is impossible with God."  (Luke 1:37)

But still, I would ask, perfection seems a tall order, and it is.

Steven Covington, in an article in This Rock magazine says that the word perfect as used by Matthew means to be whole, complete or fully grown. It is the same word Jesus uses when talking to the Rich Young Man in Matthew 19:21 after he asks what more can he do to follow Christ.  Jesus tells him "If you want to be perfect, go, and sell what you have, give the money to the poor and then come follow me."   So many of us have the same question as the Rich Young Man--"What more can I do?"  We realize we fall far short of the mark but sometimes feel helpless to change.

The Beatitudes--Prescription for Perfection
Jesus gives this teaching to be perfect in the midst of the Sermon on the Mount. To be fully grown as people, we must follow Jesus' prescription of the virtues He outlines.  He asks us to first of all realize our fundamental need for God ("poor in spirit"), to be aware of injustice ("mourn"), to know and long for true justice ("hunger and thirst for righteousness") and to endure the persecution that will inevitably come from seeking just treatment of all.

In order to be perfect, we must be meek, merciful, pure of heart and peacemakers.  This is what it means to be perfect as God is perfect.

January is a very apt time to begin studying the acquisition of these virtues and perfection. Although seemingly counterintuitive at first glance, it is a very appropriate way to begin since perfection encompasses all the virtues within itself.

Perfection in Eastern Christianity
The Eastern Church has a theology called theosis, which touches on this concept beautifully.  St. Athanasius of Alexandria said, "The Son of God became man that we might become god," meaning that we might become "partakers of the divine nature" as stated in the second letter of Peter, 1:4.  As a means of explanation, St. Athanasius said that we are called to "become by grace what God is by nature."  This illumination is possible only through God's grace (sometimes called God's energies in the East) and is something that takes a lifetime.

This concept of perfection being a long journey is shown in the icon on the sidebar and the one to the left, of the Ladder of Divine Ascent.  Jesus is shown at the top of the ladder waiting for the people who are climbing towards Him.  We see angels helping individuals in their journey as well as demons who are trying their best to pull people off the ladder.  This is beautifully illustrative of the struggle of each Christian to stay away from sin and strive, with God's help, towards virtue.

St. John Climacus outlined thirty steps towards spiritual perfection in a sermon by the same name.  Such steps include detachment, obedience, repentance, mourning, meekness, freedom from anger and humility.

In the West, St. John of the Cross describes a similar journey to God in Ascent of Mount Carmel in which he describes the stages of prayer and eventual union with God.

Like it or not, perfection is our goal, but we are not alone.  Indeed, it *is* impossible without the help of God's constant grace through prayer and sacrament, to keep us from falling into despair and surrender.

Let's strive for holy perfection, with God's help, in 2010!

Simplicity--the virtue for July

The traditional virtue for July is simplicity. During the time when the summer heat is building, simplicity begins to look more and more attractive. In many hot climates, people return home from work during the hottest part of the day and rest before completing the day's labors. July brings with it the need to step back and declutter from the busyness of life.

Our present economic downturn (and if Bin-Laden has his way, our permanent economic downturn) has forced many of us to rethink our level of consumption. Some of us are finding the addictive level of purchasing and using difficult to overcome.

But this may be just the time when we are called to simplify our lives. As we age, as our children age, stuff accumulates. Gone (for now at any rate) are the days where things were saved because people needed them and knew they would use them. Now, we save things, perhaps as a left over habit from our Depression-era parents or grandparents, with no real idea that we will ever use these things again.

Too, many of the products purchased by us in the last 30 years were not even made to last beyond a few years of use. Planned obsolescence is a deliberate business strategy used to force us to continue to purchase an item that perhaps could, or at one time did, last through many decades of use.

If there is a plus to today's economy, it is one of simplicity. Many of us have things we will never again use. There are many more, though, who, because of their own economic situation, have a real need for things that they can not obtain. Part of simplification for us could be to gather together the things that we no longer need and give them away via Freecycle, The Purple Heart, or other charities.

Another aspect of simplicity is one of inner quiet. Various monastic practices of prayer, fasting and a general rule of life are something that many who do not live in monasteries are discovering. Making time for the important things in life, like connecting with God, other people, and ourselves, is one benefit of a life's rule. It disciplines us to focus on the things that matter in life--and chasing after things that don't last (beauty, pleasure, possessions) is left behind in.

This YouTube clip is the U.S. trailer for Into Great Silence--a movie that shows the daily life in The Grande Chartreuse Monastery in the French Alps first hand. There is no sound track other than the sounds of the monks; their chanting and their living.

Simplicity--the virtue for July

The traditional virtue for July is simplicity. During the time when the summer heat is building, simplicity begins to look more and more attractive. In many hot climates, people return home from work during the hottest part of the day and rest before completing the day's labors. July brings with it the need to step back and declutter from the busyness of life.

Our present economic downturn (and if Bin-Laden has his way, our permanent economic downturn) has forced many of us to rethink our level of consumption. Some of us are finding the addictive level of purchasing and using difficult to overcome.

But this may be just the time when we are called to simplify our lives. As we age, as our children age, stuff accumulates. Gone (for now at any rate) are the days where things were saved because people needed them and knew they would use them. Now, we save things, perhaps as a left over habit from our Depression-era parents or grandparents, with no real idea that we will ever use these things again.

Too, many of the products purchased by us in the last 30 years were not even made to last beyond a few years of use. Planned obsolescence is a deliberate business strategy used to force us to continue to purchase an item that perhaps could, or at one time did, last through many decades of use.

If there is a plus to today's economy, it is one of simplicity. Many of us have things we will never again use. There are many more, though, who, because of their own economic situation, have a real need for things that they can not obtain. Part of simplification for us could be to gather together the things that we no longer need and give them away via Freecycle, The Purple Heart, or other charities.

Another aspect of simplicity is one of inner quiet. Various monastic practices of prayer, fasting and a general rule of life are something that many who do not live in monasteries are discovering. Making time for the important things in life, like connecting with God, other people, and ourselves, is one benefit of a life's rule. It disciplines us to focus on the things that matter in life--and chasing after things that don't last (beauty, pleasure, possessions) is left behind in.

This YouTube clip is the U.S. trailer for Into Great Silence--a movie that shows the daily life in The Grande Chartreuse Monastery in the French Alps first hand. There is no sound track other than the sounds of the monks; their chanting and their living.

Virtue of the Month

The virtue of the month for November is charity. Charity, in the theological sense, means more than "giving money to the poor". Charity means sacrificially loving--loving the other so much, that you willingly give yourself sacrificially for their good. True love/charity would change the world.

I think it is time to stop focusing uncharitably on differences and points of disagreement and start focusing on truly loving. Its time to get our hands dirty living out our Christian faith. We have become complacent thinking that all we need is to be in power politically and our responsibilities end there.

True Christian charity means actively loving others no matter what their personal situation or opinions might be. LOVING. Really loving others as Jesus would love them.

It is the virtue of the month. It is our faith. It is time we start living it.

Let us open up our hearts to others as Jesus opens his Sacred Heart to us.

Virtue of the Month

The virtue of the month for November is charity. Charity, in the theological sense, means more than "giving money to the poor". Charity means sacrificially loving--loving the other so much, that you willingly give yourself sacrificially for their good. True love/charity would change the world.

I think it is time to stop focusing uncharitably on differences and points of disagreement and start focusing on truly loving. Its time to get our hands dirty living out our Christian faith. We have become complacent thinking that all we need is to be in power politically and our responsibilities end there.

True Christian charity means actively loving others no matter what their personal situation or opinions might be. LOVING. Really loving others as Jesus would love them.

It is the virtue of the month. It is our faith. It is time we start living it.

Let us open up our hearts to others as Jesus opens his Sacred Heart to us.

Virtue of the Month

I've just added a new feature to my sidebar: The Virtue of the Month. Apparently, there is a tradition of studying, practicing and praying for a different virtue for each month. I already post the monthly devotion on the sidebar (for October it is Our Lady of the Rosary). This can help us focus our prayer for each month.

The Virtue of the Month is a way for us to practice what we pray for. By studying a different virtue each month, we can add that intention to our prayers, asking God to grant us the grace to practice that virtue. I'm going to try to link whatever picture I chose for each virtue, to some sort of helpful website. This month, it is linked to a Carmelite website on Our Lady of Confidence.

October--Confidence in God

October's virtue is confidence, or trust in God. Our Lady had the ultimate trust in God. When the Angel Gabriel announced that she was to become pregnant with her savior, Mary initially questioned how that was to happen. After the Gabriel explained it, Mary said, "Be it done unto me according to thy word." That's trust. Not completely unquestioning, necessarily, but quick to trust in her Lord.

Let's ask God this month for the grace to trust in Him and His will.

Our Lady of Confidence, pray for us!

Edited to add: I will also try to remember to link my Monthly Devotion picture to a pertinent website. The picture of Our Lady of the Rosary is now linked to the Rosary Army site.

Virtue of the Month

I've just added a new feature to my sidebar: The Virtue of the Month. Apparently, there is a tradition of studying, practicing and praying for a different virtue for each month. I already post the monthly devotion on the sidebar (for October it is Our Lady of the Rosary). This can help us focus our prayer for each month.

The Virtue of the Month is a way for us to practice what we pray for. By studying a different virtue each month, we can add that intention to our prayers, asking God to grant us the grace to practice that virtue. I'm going to try to link whatever picture I chose for each virtue, to some sort of helpful website. This month, it is linked to a Carmelite website on Our Lady of Confidence.

October--Confidence in God

October's virtue is confidence, or trust in God. Our Lady had the ultimate trust in God. When the Angel Gabriel announced that she was to become pregnant with her savior, Mary initially questioned how that was to happen. After the Gabriel explained it, Mary said, "Be it done unto me according to thy word." That's trust. Not completely unquestioning, necessarily, but quick to trust in her Lord.

Let's ask God this month for the grace to trust in Him and His will.

Our Lady of Confidence, pray for us!

Edited to add: I will also try to remember to link my Monthly Devotion picture to a pertinent website. The picture of Our Lady of the Rosary is now linked to the Rosary Army site.