Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
I’ve never been a “New Year’s Resolution” person. I guess I just didn’t want to hop on that band wagon. Early in 2022, however, I listened to a podcast by one of my favorite Catholic priests. He suggested that a new year marks a great opportunity to turn away from vices and grow in virtue. I took him seriously and have been prayerfully embarking on this pathway to grow in holiness and turn away from sin. Today’s Gospel reinforces this desire for me and kindles my zeal. Perhaps you’d like to enter into this practice with me. I’ll explain . . .
Father Josh reminded me on the podcast that each of us struggle with one of more of the cardinal vices. He jokingly suggested that if any of us think we don’t, that we need only ask our spouse, trusted friend, roommate, or a co-worker! His approach is to identify our primary vice through an examination of conscience. Then, embark on the new year by asking God for the graces to embody the corresponding virtue more fully and to put into practice those habits and actions that will cause that virtue to become part of us.
| Vices | Virtues |
| Pride | Humility |
| Greed | Generosity |
| Lust | Chastity |
| Envy | Charity |
| Gluttony | Temperance |
| Wrath | Patience |
| Sloth | Diligence |
For example, if you struggle with pride, then pray for the graces to become more humble. Identify specific actions and practices you can undertake in order to grow in humility. Really press into prayer every day, asking God to help you grow in virtue. In my experience, whenever we pray according to God’s word, we can be assured of God answering those prayers specifically. We can be confident that God wants us to grow in virtue, so we pray with boldness, trusting God to bring about that growth within us. If I sincerely pray to become more humble, God will bring about that greater humility as I yield and surrender my will to God’s. Focus on the virtue, not the sin. What we nurture is what will become manifest within us.
In the Gospel today, Jesus tells us, “what comes out of the [man], that is what defiles [him]. From within the [man,] from [his] heart, come . . . All these evils come from within and they defile.” Jesus gives a representative list of things that defile us. The sins that he names are just a select few sins that flow from the cardinal vices. As we identify our strongest vice, let us also ask God to show us the specific sins of which we need to repent. Partaking of the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be an important means of grace and forgiveness on our pathway toward growth in holiness, as well. After receiving absolution, we’ll be freer to focus on growing in virtue.
Friends, may the Lord bless you and bless me with the graces of conversion today. May we sincerely and contritely turn from sin, turn toward God, and seek to embody the virtues more fully. As we do that, the light of Christ will shine more fully. May others be drawn to Christ through our virtues this day. Amen!
Elizabeth Wells (formerly Wourms)