Dearest friends,
Our thoughts, words and deeds/actions necessarily flow from our storehouse of either VIRTUES or VICES.
A VIRTUE is a habitual and firm disposition to do the GOOD. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself (cf. CCC n. 1803). It has to do with a gradual but continuous MASTERY of the self which gives one the ability to rule the self. Once a person has successfully cultivated virtues, the person leads a virtuous life with ease. Doing good is no longer a burden but a joyous offer for such a person. This is the true meaning of freedom.
According to the Catholic Catechetical Tradition, there are four ‘CARDINAL’ VIRTUES, namely: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance; seven ‘CAPITAL’ VIRTUES, namely: Humility, Liberality, Chastity, Meekness, Temperance, Brotherly love and Diligence and three ‘THEOLOGICAL’ VIRTUES, namely: Faith, Hope and Charity (cf. CCC nn. 1805, 1813, CCD n. 324). While CARDINAL and CAPITAL virtues can be acquired through sincere human effort, assisted by the grace of God, the THEOLOGICAL virtues have the One and Triune God for their origin, motive and object (cf. CCC, nn. 1804, 1812).
On the contrary, VICES has to do with a proclivity to SIN and it is expressed by repetition of the same sinful acts. Vices can be classified according to the virtues they oppose; about this, the Catholic catechetical tradition has always identified seven ‘CAPITAL’ VICES, namely: Pride, Covetousness/Avarice, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy and Sloth or acedia (CCC no. 1866, CCD n. 324). They are called ‘capital’ vices because they are the sources from which all other vices take rise (CCC n. 1866, CCD n. 325).
We are called always to SUPPRESS vices with virtues. Unless we shun vices and embrace virtues, our whole life will continue to be filled with every expression of SINFUL thoughts, words and actions because “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (cf. Lk 6:45). This cannot actually be hidden for a long time before it manifests.
Granted that it is not easy for man, wounded by sin, to maintain moral balance, however, Christ’s gift of salvation offers us the GRACE necessary to persevere in the pursuit of the virtues. Therefore, everyone should always ask for this grace of light and strength, frequent the SACRAMENTS, (especially Confession and Holy Eucharist), cooperate with the HOLY SPIRIT, and follow his calls to love what is good and shun evil (cf. CCC no 1811, cf. Gal 5:16-17).
We pray the Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians, to always assist us with her powerful intercession in our struggles to resist VICES and embrace VIRTUES. Amen🙏🏼
Happy Sunday and remain blessed!
CATECHESIS (NKUZI NKE OKWUKWE) FOR THE 8TH SUNDAY, YEAR C
READINGS: R1 Sir 27:4-7, R2 1 Cor 15:54-58, Gosp Lk 6:39-45
