Know that noble life hinges on virtue

Christians pray in church. The Church appreciates justification as being God’s declaration of a sinner righteous. PHOTOS BY RACHEL MABALA

Every November 1st the Church commemorates all saints. We celebrate all who have experienced the gospel message and know that God dwells with them now, whether dead or still living.

Sanctity is not something we achieve. It is something we participate in: “Everyone the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never drive away”, says Jesus in John 6:37.

This statement primarily indicates that whereas God offers his gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, he forces no one to embrace it. Some accept it others refuse it. Those who accept and habitually endeavor to abide by it become God’s people in Christ (John 1:10-13). There will be a marked difference between the conduct of those who accept Jesus and the conduct of those who reject him. Those who accept Christ live a virtuous life.

What is virtue
Virtue may be defined as a habit of mind in harmony with reason and the order of nature. It is a habitual and firm disposition to do the good and to give the best of himself/herself.

“The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God”, says St Gregory of Nyssa. Christian theology lists four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance. They are cardinal because our life hinges on them.

“Prudence is right reason in action,” writes St. Thomas Aquinas. It disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it.

“The end does not justify the means”, goes a venerable adage. It means that there is no justification for unethical behavior, even if the goal might be itself praiseworthy.

Do the means matter
When the means include deception, lies, stolen ideas, slavery, or harming others in the process or knowing people may be harmed in the future, the end result cannot be justified by the means.

Using immoral or unethical means will itself derail the desired outcome. We must identify a moral standard as a guide to making decisions with clarity and confidence.

Justice consists in the constant and firm will to give one’s due to God and neighbor. Justice toward God is called the virtue of religion. Justice disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and to the common good.

Fortitude ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. God is the object of our nature, yet sin disturbs our relations with God. Happily, God reconciles us with Himself through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ, and its saving effects are completed with joyful communion with Him.

Temperance moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the will’s mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable. “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Writes St. Paul in Philippians 4:8.

Surrender to the will of God
In the final analysis, All Saints Day refers to Christian discipleship being a constant struggle of surrender to the will of God. We need to let go and let God, by abandoning our sinful tendencies so that God’s plan may grow and mature into the people He wants us to be. We also grow in sanctity as we express our communion with dead and living saints. And when we become truly Christian, all those whose lives we touch will experience and share in the fruit of Jesus’ love, care, mercy and presence.

Quotes on prayer

  • God can handle your doubt, anger, fear, grief, confusion, and questions. You can bring everything to him in prayer. Rick Warren
  • Don’t think of the things you didn’t get after praying. Think of the countless blessings God gave you without asking. Anonymous