NOT STRIVING FOR VIRTUE IS TO GO BACK

"Whosoever puts his hand to the plough and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of heaven" (Luke 9:62)


St. Augustine says that we cannot possibly prevent ourselves from descending, but by always striving to ascend; for as soon as we begin to stop, we descend, and not to advance, is to go back; so that if we wish not to go back, we must always run forward without
stopping.  [cf. Ep. 113 to Dem. Vir.]

Life is like rowing upstream: not to advance is to drop back.

If we want to get to the source, we must swim against the current; not to push forward is to go back. There is no resting place in this life. We seek union with our source Jesus Christ himself.

Jesus carried his cross never turning back. Knowing the suffering that awaited him. Let us pray for the strength.

Have you done enough?

Are you feeling tired?

Do you think you're entitled to repose?

Do you imagine that your present  virtue is sufficient?

Reflect well, that we still have a long way to go. There are many occasions for us, to have more humility, more courage, more patience, more love of God and man...

We will be surprised at the time of our greatest distress, the virtue we thought we had is weaker than we could imagine. This is guaranteed.

"Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18)

"Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise!...they labor hard all summer,gathering food for the winter." (Proverbs 6:6,8)

"Repetition" is the mother of learning, so is she the mother of virtue. Does the athlete tire of practicing? Certainly ! But preparing for the contest is always before his eyes. This drives him on. Likewise should we practice good acts, spiritual and corporal.

Like the ants, let us gather for time of winter, when virtue is not easy.

Signs of Friendship with God

St. Bernard says, that there is
no more certain mark of God being present in a man's heart, than the desire of still increasing in grace, and he proves it by the saying - with the Wise Man:
"Those that eat me shall still hunger, and those that drink me shall still thirst." (Sirach, 24:21)

If, then, you hunger and thirst for heavenly things, rejoice, since it is an evident sign that God dwells in your soul.

Like the Bloodhound, finding the scent, pursues eagerly, and never tires of the pursuit; whoever
smells the sweetness of the divine scent runs after it without ceasing, and cries out with the spouse in the Canticles,

"Draw me after Thee, we will run in the odor of thy divine perfumes." (Cant 1. 8)

St Bernard said he trembled, and his hair stood of an end, as often as he reflected on these words of the Holy Spirit:

" Man knows not whether he deserves love or hatred" (Eccles 9:1) This passage is terrible, says this great saint, "and I shook with horror as often as I thought on it, never without trembling repeating that sentence, Who knows whether he deserves love or hatred?" (Serm. 23 on the Cant.)


"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is prudence." (Proverbs 9:10)

First Step: Desire God and Virtue

St. Paul,says that if we gain Jesus Christ it is enough; for all the rest is nothing but dirt and manure. (cf. Phil 3:8) This is the best means we have of attaining Christian virtue. For the degree to which this esteem ascends in our hearts will be the measure of our own spiritual advancement

The Prophet Jeremy says:  "Let not the wise man, glory in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the rich man in the
abundance of his wealth; but let him that does glory, glory in his knowledge of me." (Jer. 9: 23.)

What counts the most in Christians is not depth of learning, or great talents, or any other
human endowment; but it is humility and obedience, a spirit of recollection and prayer-- simply loving God with all your heart.

When it will be known that virtue is the only thing esteemed in a Catholic; we will be more convincing to the non believer. A virtuous soul is a more fitting instrument of Grace, for the salvation souls. Recall the honor of participating with the Creator.

For every one coming to the knowledge of the true way, will devote himself without reserve to virtue — he will apply himself solely to spiritual advancement, and will believe every thing else. is vanity and folly.
How dangerous it is, without humility, and posses talents and learning:

"Rejoice not, that you work miracles, and that the devils are subject to you; but rejoice in this, that your names are written in heaven." (Luke17:20)
We ought to place all our joy in acquiring the kingdom of heaven, for without that all the rest are nothing.

"What will it avail a man to gain the whole world, if he loseth his soul? " (Matt 16: 26)