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.