Sins and virtues

[Lady_Love]

My priest gave a great sermon yesterday. He emphasized our need to focus on our virtue, that God has endowed each one of us with a special and unique virtue. He asked, “How many of you know what your virtue is?”

He spoke of how we know so much about how we sin and we spend much time focusing on them. He argued that if we spent as much time thinking about our virtues as much as our sins that we might actually grow and develop those virtues much quicker and therefore enter the realm of sainthood sooner.

He also discussed how many of us have unrealistic perceptions of sainthood. He discussed how saints are fully human bearing the imperfection of a sinful nature not perfect like God Himself. He said to even strive for the perfection of God would be an attempt to BE God. He said that we should view holiness less as “perfection” and more as “being whole” or complete. That sainthood is not practically impossible but what we were made for and is our natural state/calling.

What are your thoughts?

 

[AlanFromWichita]

It sounds like a positive and uplifting message.

We spend so much time avoiding sin it’s nice to think about developing virtues. :getholy:

I was just writing on another thread about Jesus’s call to be perfect. I’m trying to take Him at His word, because I can’t understand why He would tell us to do something that’s impossible. And as far as I know, our human wills quit working when we die, so IMO if we haven’t become perfect before we die, then God picks up and finishes it in purgatory which I’m thinking is not something we can willfully control.

So what is He telling us? My first guess, and so far my only guess, is that Jesus is talking about a spiritual perfection, not a perfection of our outward behavior as humans. I’m not sure if that’s possible, but I’m thinking if we can just get to the point we are born again and start learning the mysteries, then Jesus promises that more knowledge will be given unto us. At that point, I believe that we will be in the mode toward being called to good by the Holy Spirit, be sensitive enough to know when we’re being called, and discernment will be among good options rather than good/evil because the law written in our hearts surrenders to the Spirit. + :bible1:

I guess I’m just saying I’m not giving up at understanding Jesus’s words until I know I understand them for sure, or die trying. That said, we can’t address this sort of speculation from the pulpit. I think the priest you are talking about did gave a wonderful sermon, just the way it was.

Alan

 

[Lady_Love]

It sounds like a positive and uplifting message.

I was just writing on another thread about Jesus’s call to be perfect.

My priest said that it is a translation thing. That when the scriptures were translated “perfect” was the closest thing to the original meaning.

 

[Regina_Love]

To be Saintly, or perfect is to be what we are called to be, in a world tormented by sin, and death. Embrace the Sacraments Jesus instituted for our benefit! We are born again when we are baptised into God’s family. Perfection is being humble like a child, willing to learn, and accept God’s leading. Reading the Bible, or encyclicals to learn more, and grow in wisdom is becoming more perfect. It is a daily process of using the gifts God has given you. It is praying to God, and expecting an answer, and listening for the answer.