Jeremy Vortherms (OLIH Parisioner) writes:
Good day, all. How is your reading progressing? I hope you are finding the book as enjoyable and challenging as I am.
By this point in the blog, you’ve likely (hopefully) read the introductory pages of the book, but I wanted to share some thoughts before we delve further into the book. I hope to give you a chance to pause and reflect as we journey through the first part of the book, but keep in mind, the thoughts I’m sharing come from my personal reference points.
During Advent, Our Lady’s hosted a short study on the lively virtues that originated from a talk by Bishop Barron. Generally, those conversations centered around virtues as the remedy to vices in our lives. That series focused on a broader list than just the seven lively virtues, but there was an interesting perspective that awakened in me: When I spend time understanding what virtues are, I can begin to seek that lifestyle.
Too often in my faith, I concentrate on what I haven’t done well, or correctly, or properly, etc. This focus on the negative masks the good that Jesus is calling us towards and that he has modeled for us. He is calling us toward the life of virtue. It is important that we focus the positive changes that being virtuous brings about. Relationships are transformed when we do, including our relationship with Jesus.
This past summer, during a conversation with Patty, an idea began to take form. I didn’t have a whiteboard at the time, but this picture below was forming in my mind.
I started the conversation with a distorted view of virtue. I thought being virtuous was not exceeding a moral boundary; I think I even called these my non-negotiables. Things I would never do even if the opportunity presented itself.
Patty challenged me to see them differently and asked me if a virtuous life would ever entertain such things? Thus, temptation in my life was revealed in a new way. My perspective shifted a bit and I no longer want to be settling against a moral backstop; it’s not what Jesus is calling me to. It’s not what Jesus is calling you to. You can imagine my surprise when these exact themes are revisited in Chapter 2 of our book.
We all face temptations in life, and we likely won’t ever be completely free of them. But what I seek now is to move towards the virtuous life.
But how? That is what I’m hoping to gain from the remainder of the book and the conversations that will follow. The last parts of the introduction will explore the characteristics of virtues and how to grow in virtue.
One last set of thoughts to encourage you in the reading: Once I started looking at virtue in my life, the theme started showing up in many aspects – bible study, faith sharing, and work (of all places). Many of the ways you can explore your faith point to the same outcome, albeit indirectly at times, but all to the same end.
The virtuous life is one that considers others above self, it is set on truth and seeks the one that is truth, Jesus. Enjoy the remainder of the book and the fruit that comes from walking with God.
Your Brother in Christ,
Jeremey Vortherms
Reading plan:
Monday, January 9 – Wednesday January 18 – Part One: Virtue and Friendship
Friday, January 20 – Part Two: The Four Cardinal Virtues
Monday, January 23-Friday, January 27 – Prudence
Monday, January 30 – Friday, February 3 – Fortitude
Monday, February 6 – Friday, February 10 – Temperance
Monday, February 13 – Friday, February 17 - Justice