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)



"Seek first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all those things shall be added unto you." (Math 11: 34)

"Blessed are they," says the gospel, "who hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall be filled." (Matt 5:6)

The Wise Man says, That the justice of the righteous shall deliver them, (Prov. 11: 6); that is, they shall be saved by their holiness of life, in Christ Jesus. In whom we were engrafted at Baptism.
 Do not destroy the righteousness this sacremental gateway has given, with a sinful life; we call those just, who love God and are virtuous.

"Unless your justice," says our Saviour, "exceeds that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt v 20)

Those who act through, dread of punishment, or desire of esteem, or through human respect, tire of the burden, but those who act through love of virtue and a sincere desire of pleasing God--these remain always firm and constant in the exercises of piety, but those persevering only while they are watched, quickly relapse into their former disorders.


It is the interior law, of charity and of the divine love imprinted on our souls, by the Holy Spirit, which ought to support, guide, and make us advance in the way of God's service.
The beginning of wisdom is to excite in our hearts an earnest desire for salvation.

 Sirach. 6:37--
"Reflect on the law of the Most High,
and let his commandments be your constant study.
Then he will enlighten your mind,
and make you wise as you desire."


"A strong healthy man", says St. John of Ávila, "will, with ease, carry that burden, which a child or sick person cannot raise from the ground. It is only then from the different dispositions of our souls, that the difficulty springs."

Our duties are always the same. If they appear different now, blame ourselves, instead of being perfect men, we are still children in virtue — fallen, sick, with ebbing  fervor.



Hunger and thirst for our spiritual advancement is the best disposition. St. Ambrose says,that the Lord is so well pleased with the man who feels this longing desire, that he fills his soul with many graces.

Blessed Virgin in her canticle: "The Lord has filled the hungry with good things" (Luke 1 : 35).

The Royal Prophet, King David, said:
"The Lord has filled the empty soul, and has satiated the hungry and thirsty soul with good things" (Ps 107:9)

An angel appeared to Daniel and told him, his
prayers were heard, because he was a man of desire for the love of God:
Dan. 10: 11-12:
11. "And he [the angel] said to me: Daniel, you man of desires, understand the words that I speak to thee, and stand upright: for I am sent now to you. And when he had said this word to me, I stood trembling.
12 "And he said to me: Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, to afflict thyself in the sight of your God, your words have been heard."


The desire David had of building a temple was so pleasing to God that though he did not permit him to carry his design into execution, the Lord, to recompense him, confirmed the crown to his posterity.

Zacheus's desire of seeing the Messiah, Jesus  looked up to him in the sycamore tree, saying, "Zacheus, make haste and come down, for this day I must abide in thy house." Luke 19:5

"Wisdom is easily seen by those that love it, and is soon found by them that seek it." (Wis. 6:13)

How infinite is the goodness and mercy of God! He seeks us and knocks often at our door; "Behold", he says, in the Apocalpyse, " I stand at your door and knock (Apoc. 3:20) and in the Canticles, "Open, my sister, the door to me."(Cant 5: 2)

If your heart is closed, Christ sits down at your door and waits. Instead of going away and leaving you, he chooses to wait, that you may be sure of finding him as soon as you open the door. He has too great a desire of entering, to be so easily repulsed.



He longs much more to communicate himself, and grant his favors to us, than we long to receive them — the only thing he requires of us. is to hunger and thirst after God. "I will give to him that thirsts of the fountain of the water of life freely." (Apoc. 21: 6) "If any man therefore thirsts, let him come to me and drink" (John 7:37)

One of the principal reasons, why we make little progress in Christian virtue is, we do not desire, and long for it so earnestly as we ought — we have some desires it is true, but they vanish almost as soon as they are felt.

In general, whatever is easily obtained, is not much esteemed.


St Bonaventure (Process. 4. Rel. # 3.) says, that there are many who intend well, and who conceive the best projects imaginable, yet, offer very little violence to overcome themselves, executing their good projects.

We may say with the apostle, St. Paul : "For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out."(Rom 7:18)

 Projects without effect are not the productions of a resolute will, and they are but mere vanities-- we desire, but we do not seek effectually, with God's Grace.

"You ask, and receive not; because you ask amiss: that you may consume it on your concupiscences."
(James 4:3)

"Wherefore, laying aside all filthiness and abounding of wickedness, accept with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21)