Always the obligation to retrace Jesus Christ in our persons: We will meditate especially …on the virtues of our Lord Jesus Christ, for these should be obvious in the life of our members.
Retreat notes, October 1831, EO XV n. 163
Some practical advice: choose one virtue per month and focus on it in prayer, in daily life, and measure its success daily. Through spiritual reading we are invited to deepen our understanding of that particular virtue.
Every month they will choose one particular virtue that they will endeavor to practice with ever-increasing fidelity.
They will make these same virtues the subject of their particular examen and spiritual conferences.
Retreat notes, October 1831, EO XV n. 163
Panic. I think of the young man who asked Jesus what he must do to enter heaven. When Jesus told him and he saw how much he had and would need to let go of – he turned away – it was too much for him.
Sometimes I come here or I read, or I listen and take part in prayer or a retreat, or I enter body and soul into my studies and with these I slowly become a better person – more loving, more Christ-like. It is without end, sometimes daunting but always back-lit with joy.
Daunting – if I look at it all as being immediate and ‘perfect’ – then it seems to overwhelm and appear as impossible. What Lord – you couldn’t have caught me a little earlier in life? I realise it means looking within me at not only the weakness, brokenness and sin but also at the goodness, the love… Immense honesty and humility is required. There can be no sitting on the fence with this – I remember how Eugene felt about being mediocre.
How do I love? How are the virtues expressed in my loving? It will not be on my own that is for sure. I think of the words that the Spirit has been singing within me for the last couple of weeks – Spirit of God come give me the mind and heart of Jesus – teach me the wisdom of God.