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Holy Inspiration of the Week
Scripture of the Week
“Consider your ways! You have sown much, but have brought in little; you have eaten, but have not been satisfied; You have drunk, but not been exhilarated; have clothed yourselves but have not been warmed; And whoever earned wages earned them for a bag with holes in it.” - Haggai 1:6
”Consider your ways!” denotes the urgency and vigor necessary to order one’s life well, with the goal of heaven in mind. This reading from the prophet Haggai, beckons us to consider the manner in which we are to live, which in turn dictates the state of our soul for eternity. Examining how we are ordering our time,
resources, talents, etc., is crucial in remaining disciplined in virtue and humble in such efforts. Knowing oneself, and the extent of virtue and vice therein,
paves the way for self possession, which is the taming and setting aside of vice and the flourishing of virtue. Self knowledge and self possession are essential steps in man’s ultimate purpose which is self gift. Self gift is the summit of a life of virtue because it is complete and humble imitation of Christ Crucified.
The passage continues, “ You have sown much, but have brought in little; you have eaten but have not been satisfied; you have drunk, but have not been exhilarated; you have clothed yourself, but have not been warmed.” How futile indeed are efforts and actions which are inwardly focused. Such actions do nothing to strengthen our peace or satisfy the hungering of our hearts. Instead, what will you permit the Lord to sow in your heart? Will you set aside scraps and eat of that which will satisfy your hunger? Why do we clothe our tongue in gossip and impurity? We do cling to identities that do nothing to preserve our virtue or strengthen our interior life? When we conform to the ways of this world and seek first our own will,
we ‘clothe’ ourselves poorly against the squals of sin.
Consider the ways of the Lord, consider His fidelity and generosity. The soul that seeks eternal union with Him, is invited to receive what He gives. Our Lord, in His Divine Providence, graces us with all that is needed for our sanctification. Trust Him. Receive His Fatherly affection and attentiveness. In God alone will you be satisfied.
Saints of the Week
Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
These three saints are the only angels within Sacred Scripture that are named. Each archangel bears a unique mission with their respective qualities. St Michael is a protector. He is present in the visions of the Prophet Daniel. St. Michael is noted as the “great prince” who defends Israel from powerful enemies. More so, in the Book of Revelation, he is outlined as the Angel that leads the army of God in crushing the head of Satan and all evil.
The archangel Gabriel is given the mission of announcing God’s will. In addition to appearing in Daniel’s prophetic visions, Gabriel appears to the Blessed Mother as She makes her Fiat. Finally, St Raphael is an archangel of guidance. In the book of Tobit, he is portrayed as the angel who leads Tobiah on a rigorous journey and instructs him in all his ways.
These archangels, who are celebrated on September 29th, are the patron saints of death, grocers, police officers, radiologist, Germany, Additionally, St Gabriel is the patron saint of broadcasters and St. Raphael is the patron saint of travelers and the blind.
Saunts Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael defend us in this spiritual battle!
Guiding Virtue of the Week
Charity
The virtue of charity is an instrumental tool in the task of defining love. Such a notion is clarified and edified when we come to an understanding of where the word "charity" is rooted, for it finds its identity in the term caritas, which in the distinctive Christian sense means love.
The Catechism supports this as well by defining charity as "the theological virtue by which we owe love to God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God."(CCC, 1822). In a certain sense, charity is the greatest commandment given to us by Christ in the folds of the synoptic gospels.
The ten commandments, recorded in the Old Testament, illustrate an intricate dimension in regards to charity. The first three of the commandments point to love of God and the remaining seven point to love of neighbor which is the essential mission of charity, to love God and neighbor.
However, in the process of loving naturally( natural loves such as relationships with parents, siblings, or friends), the human nature remains fallen and imperfect; thus, while we participate in the charitable act of love our love is still stained with sin. When we practice charity it "transforms our natural loves. It perfects them, elevating them toward a goal of union with God.”(Mattison. Moral Theology, pg. 308) Fraternal correction that charity provides initiates a concrete difference in how we love people around us. This is vital to comprehend while appreciating the theological virtue of charity not just as a ‘nice way of treating people’ but a means by which we purify our relationships with our brethren and God through the assistance of grace.
