Human Virtues

A Virtue is an habitual and firm disposition to do the good.

Philippians 4:8

• “Whatever is true,• whatever is honorable, • whatever is just,• whatever is pure, • whatever is lovely or gracious, if there is

any excellence, anything worthy of praise,

–Think about these things”

Discernment recognize right from wrong

• Philippians emphasizes discernment and wisdom in living out the Christian life.

• “…your love may abound more & more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure & blameless for the day of

Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness…” Philippians 1:19-11

Virtues to Practice Holiness of life

• The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God. St. Gregory of Nyssa (ccc 1803)

• A disciple is one who attaches himself personally to Christ to learn:– both from his doctrine ( words)– and from his example (deeds)

• Every baptized Christian is called to be a disciple of Christ

Baptism: a new creation

• Baptism makes one “a new creation”– an adopted son of God, who has become a

“partaker of the divine nature” 2 Cor 5:17, 2 Pet 1:4, Gal 4:5-7

• The Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification:– enabling them to believe in God (faith)– to (hope) in him – to (love) him through the theological virtues

Effects of Sanctifying Grace

• Allows Christians to believe, hope, & love God using the theological virtues

• Gives them power to act & live under the prompting of the Holy Spirit using:– The gifts of the Holy Spirit infused at Baptism– Allowing Christians to grow in goodness

through the practice of the moral virtues ccc 1266

Supernatural life has its roots in Baptism

• In Baptism Christ enters us & remains in us as long as we desire His presence.

• Christ said :– “I am the vine and you are the branches”

• “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,

because without me you can do nothing” John 15:5

Virtues & Grace

• Vir: Comes from the latin “vir” which means “man”, virtue refers to strength and power to act rightly

• Theological virtues:1) Faith 2) Hope 3) Love

• Cardinal Virtues:1) Prudence 2) Justice 3) Fortitude 4) Temperance

• Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Understanding, Fear of the Lord, Piety, Knowledge, Counsel, Fortitude, Wisdom

Virtues & Grace cont.

• Theological virtues– Supernatural Gifts infused by God at Baptism which

help us relate to God & live in relationship with Him

• Cardinal Virtues are: human virtues that help with

– habits of right thinking– ordering of the passions– moral conduct

• With the aim to “Perfect” human living

Life in Christ

• Life in Christ is rooted in the virtues • We permit Christ to transform us from within

• Human virtues acquired by:– education, deliberate acts, and perseverance

& grow by “Divine Grace”

• Virtues create character and performs good acts with apparent ease. ccc1810

Happiness & Charity

• Happiness comes from being good – thus happiness is living a virtuous life

• The practice of all the virtues is animated & inspired by charity :– which “binds everything together in perfect

harmony” Col 3:14, ccc1827

Theological Virtues

• Faith - is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said & revealed to us in the deposit of faith within the Church.

• In short, Faith enables one to know God & all that He has revealed.

Theological Virtues cont.

• Hope - is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven & eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises & relying not on our own strength, but grace from the Holy Spirit.

• In short, Hope enables one to desire God above all things and to trust Him for our salvation.

Theological Virtues cont.

• Charity - is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, & our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God.

• In short, Charity enables one to love God above all & to love our neighbor as ourselves.

What is a virtue?

• A virtue is an habitual & firm disposition to do the good

• It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself.

• The goal of the virtuous life is to become like God.

(Human) Cardinal Virtues

• The Cardinal virtues are acquired by human effort.

• They make possible self-mastery, and give joy in leading a morally good life

• The four virtues play a pivotal role (hinge) & accordingly are called “cardinal”

• These virtues are praised under other names in Scripture

Prudence (sound judgment)

• Prudence - is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it;

• Prudence is exercising practical wisdom & knowledge to accomplish what is good– enables one to reason & to act rightly in any

given situation

Justice (fairness)

• Justice - is the moral virtue that consists in the constant & firm will to give their due to God & neighbor.

•

• Justice toward God - “virtue of religion”• Justice is the quality of giving each person what

they are due (honoring each one’s rights)

Fortitude (courage)

• Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties & constancy in the pursuit of the good.

• It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations & overcome obstacles in the moral life.

• It disposes one to renounce & sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause.

• In short, Fortitude enables one to endure difficulties & pain for the sake of what is good.

Temperance (self-control)

• Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures & provides balance in the use of created goods. ( food, entertainment)

• Temperance enables one to be moderate and disciplined in the use or enjoyment of good things.