Standing Strong

Where is our moral compass pointed? What can we do to align it with the heart of God?  Although uncommon in contemporary conversations, actions related to the word virtue are most necessary for unity, harmony, respect, and dignity within the human family. Primary guides for our moral compass are words and actions that develop from the virtues. 

One of the most beautiful and challenging words in the English language is virtue. Virtue has several meanings. It strengthens our character, supports human rights, and is the foundation of integrity. Virtues are decent qualities that uphold human dignity and benefit society. They also support a disposition that pleases God and helps us to do his will.

For Christians living our virtues goes beyond the temporal realm. Temporal actions are bound by time and place, they can be measured or replicated or limited to a culture or an organization; they may be traits of an individual or group, or even manifest a need for praise or attention. Virtuous actions lead to that which is good, but egocentricities, like false pride, can lead to sin. The worst thing ever is sin. All horrors caused by humans come from sin. Even the most virtuous people can sin, so we must be prudent about not getting into tempting situations. Temptations can occur in the most unexpected places. Since every virtue has a corresponding temptation, we utilize prayer, faith, and reason to avoid unhealthy circumstances that harm the soul. 

Our virtues and evil inclinations are distinctive to our identity as unique individuals.  In various degrees, we are also influenced by society and social media that often disguise good as bad and bad as good. How can we identify an unrealized insidious temptation or a new budding virtue within us? As Christians we go to timeless truths well expressed in to the words of an early Gaelic hymn that can form a sound foundation and calls for daily rumination, “God‘s might to direct me, God’s power to protect me, God’s wisdom for learning, God’s eye for discerning, God’s ear for my bearing, God’s word for my clearing.” Other necessities are daily prayer, sacramental reception, examination of conscious, and a wise mentor. When we plan to do something, it is prudent to ask Jesus if he would smile on it, for as Christians, we desire to do what is right in the eyes of God.

Christian virtues transcend the limits of earth, lead us to God, connect us with eternity, and promote the message and mission of Jesus. They foster an understanding that unifies and oppose a righteousness that divides. A virtuous Christian is neither aloof, naïve, nor self-deprecating. Rather, he or she is humble, humorous, and forthright.

To live the virtues is a noble call. In The Making of a Christian Leader, Ted Engstrom wrote, “The world needs men who cannot be bought; whose word is their bond; who put character above wealth; who possess opinions and a will; who are  larger than their vocations; who do not hesitate to take chances; who will not lose their individuality in a crowd; who will be as honest in small things as in great things; who will make no compromise with wrong; whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires; who will not say they do it ‘because everybody else does it,‘ who are true to their friends through good report and evil report, in adversity as well as in prosperity; who do not believe that shrewdness, cunning and hardheadedness are the best qualities for winning success; who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth when it is unpopular; who say ‘no’ with emphasis, although the rest of the world says ‘yes.’”  

Christians come to know virtue by seeking it, learn virtue by practicing it, and live virtuously when the practice becomes habitual. If essential virtues are weak, deficient or nonexistent, they need to be developed and put into practice. When the challenge of living the virtues takes root, lifestyles are in greater harmony with Gospel teachings and we will not be influenced by the ever changing winds of society. When living specific virtues has negative consequences, like being ridiculed, disliked, or even imprisoned, we move forward with trust in God, for he is with us. Whatever the cost, Christian principles, exemplified by virtues, are worth standing by and promoting. We emulate certain attributes of Jesus, each in our own way, since the true test of a Christian character is in being imitators of Christ.  

Beyond the Self

Virtues draw us out of ourselves into service to others. “Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others.” ( Phil 2:3-4) Christians need not talk about their virtuous actions, as such actions speak for themselves. Our human nature is strengthened when we are true in speech, just in judgment, competent in business, and respectful toward all. These elements make society more life giving.

Christians try to live the virtues in the present, even when difficulties appear.  Living the virtues can be frustrating, no longer appealing, difficult, drab, or irritating. When we have a bad day, or are feeling discouraged, we want to complain or even give up. When this happens, we remember this story:

A young monk once said to his superior: “Father, I must leave the monastery because I do not have a vocation to be a monk.” The older monk asked why, and the younger monk replied: “In spite of my daily resolution to be good tempered, kind and loving toward my brother monks, I keep on sinning. So, I feel I am not suited to the monastic life.” The older monk looked at him with love and said: “Brother, the monastic life is this: I rise up and I fall down, I rise up and I fall down. I rise up and I fall down.” The young monk stayed and persevered. And so it is with us. When striving to live Christian virtues, we fall and get up over and over again.  Because our chaff is mixed with our wheat, we must cultivate the wheat stalks of virtue, and continually remove the chaff of temptation. Whatever our station in life, we can live virtues. Most of us do not fit into media popularity categories or leadership positions. We are behind the scenes that make things happen. Virtue shines bright in many unknown people who do nondescript tasks but live rightly.

Therese of Lisieux advises us when we feel down. “When in the morning we feel no courage or strength for the practice of virtue, it is really grace. It is time to rely on Jesus alone.” The unsurpassed guide in living rightly is Jesus. We live rightly when we walk with him and live what he taught. We do what is right, not what is easy, even when no one is watching us. Jesus’ way has twists and turns we never expected. However, with faith, we walk forward one step at a time.He gives us these wise words: “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward.” (Matthew 6:1-4) We care for whoever needs our help without seeking awards, recognition, or waving our flags of virtue. We give of ourselves because Jesus gives himself to us. The more gratitude we have for his love, the more we will follow his example.

Virtues are strengthened by repeated actions and guided by the light of faith and reason. The wisdom of virtue in action is illustrated in the following story:

 An elderly couple’s home was on a large corner lot near an elementary school. The children at that school had a bad habit of cutting across the corner of the lot that made an ugly path in the lawn. The husband and wife were good, friendly people, but this bad habit seriously annoyed them. As it continued, they became angry and upset. The problem was upsetting their attitude toward children and robbing them of their peace of mind. They realized something had to change. After they prayed for guidance, a solution came to them. Instead of putting up a fence, they had the path covered with crushed gravel, then lined it with flowers, and placed a bench alongside it. From then on, the couple began sitting on the bench when the children were dismissed in the afternoon. They greeted the children who passed by. Something wonderful happened. The children thanked the couple for the path, and often stopped to chat, asking about the different flowers and telling them what they had learned in school that day. In this way the husband and wife made many young friends, and they turned a difficult situation into a pleasant one. As special graces given by God, virtues accomplish Christian objectives unique to each individual. If we keep our focus on God, and know the importance of holiness, our virtues reveal an active, vital faith and a sound Christian character. Although they are subject to strengthening or weakening, virtues are an integral part of the soul and help us live within the moral parameters of the Gospel. Virtues keep us standing strong as Christians. We are thankful for the virtues in which we excel and pray for the virtues that we need to acquire.