pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Palm Coast, Florida
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Nurturing Virtues: A Lenten Pathway to Spiritual Renewal
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As we continue our sacred journey of Lent, we should focus on the three pillars of this holy season: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These pillars serve as the bedrock upon which we construct our spiritual lives, steering us toward a profound communion with God and a heightened awareness of His presence in our midst. Yet, as we aspire to draw nearer to the Divine during this season of introspection and renewal, we must confront the barriers that obstruct our spiritual ascent. The seven deadly sins, recognized as the cardinal sins, have long been identified as the primary impediments to living a life of sanctity and moral excellence. These sins—pride, greed, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and laziness—entangle us in a web of self-centeredness and estrangement from God. However, in lieu of these vices, we are called to foster the corresponding virtues that guide us toward authentic spiritual growth.
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Pride/Humility
Pride, the foremost and most pernicious of the deadly sins, distorts our perception of self and our relationship with God. The Book of Proverbs cautions, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Conversely, humility enables us to recognize our dependence on God and embrace our authentic identity as His cherished children. St. Augustine, among the eminent Fathers of the Church, extolled the significance of humility in our spiritual journey, affirming, “Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. Do you plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.” By humbling ourselves before God and others, we unlock our hearts to receive the grace and mercy that emanate from the Cross.
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Greed/Generosity
Greed, the covetous longing for worldly possessions and wealth, blinds us to the genuine treasures of God’s kingdom. Jesus admonishes against the perils of greed, asserting, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15). Instead, we are summoned to embrace the virtue of generosity, sharing our blessings with those in need and entrusting ourselves to God’s providential care.
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Lust/Chastity
Lust, the disordered craving for sensual pleasure, distorts the sanctity and dignity of human relationships. Jesus instructs, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). In lieu of lust, we are summoned to cultivate the virtue of chastity, honoring the sacred gift of human sexuality and preserving it for its ordained context within the sacrament of marriage. The word of God reminds us, “ It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality, that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable” (I Thessalonians 4:3-4).
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Anger/Patience
Anger, the tempestuous fury that seeks vengeance and retribution, fractures relationships and wounds the body of Christ. The Epistle of James counsels, “Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness” (James 1:19-20). Instead of anger, we are urged to cultivate the virtue of patience, enduring with one another in love and pursuing reconciliation and forgiveness.
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Gluttony/Temperance
The Book of Proverbs says, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls” (25:28). Gluttony, the intemperate indulgence in food and drink, dulls our spiritual faculties and distracts us from the banquet of the Eucharist. Yet, through the practice of temperance, we learn to regulate our appetites and consecrate our bodies as living offerings to God.
The Book of Proverbs says, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls” (25:28). Gluttony, the intemperate indulgence in food and drink, dulls our spiritual faculties and distracts us from the banquet of the Eucharist. Yet, through the practice of temperance, we learn to regulate our appetites and consecrate our bodies as living offerings to God.
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Envy/Charity
Envy, the resentment of others’ prosperity or possessions corrodes our relationships and depletes us of joy. Conversely, we are called to embrace the virtue of charity, celebrating the blessings of others, and collaborating in the advancement of God’s kingdom. St. Teresa of Ávila, in her enduring work “The Interior Castle,” urges us to foster contentment and thankfulness for God’s abundant gifts in our lives. By entrusting our desires to God’s providence, we experience genuine liberation from the tyranny of envy and comparison.
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Laziness/Diligence
Laziness, which obstructs our progress in holiness and love, stifles our fervor for God and His reign. The Book of Proverbs says. “A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied” (13:4). Through the practice of diligence and zeal, we enkindle the flame of faith and press forward toward the prize of eternal life. As we traverse this sacred season of Lent, may we be inspired by the examples of the saints and the teachings of the Church to uproot the seven deadly sins and nurture the corresponding virtues in our lives. Through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, may we open our hearts to receive the abundant grace and mercy of our compassionate Father, who beckons us to be holy as He is holy.
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