Rebuild Your Inner Abbey
How to Form a Good Moral Conscience
The virtue of Prudence is the cardinal virtue of identifying authentic human good and making a plan to attain it. Among other things, this virtue helps us to develop our moral conscience. A big part of growing as a Christian is embracing the goodness that God has planned for us. In order to embrace this…
Read MoreGrowing in the Theological Virtues: So What is True Human Love Anyway?
OK, so what is true human love? Which Greek idea of love best fits the human heart? Many would say Philios, which isn’t a bad answer. After all, the Greeks called Philios the highest form of human love, right? Others would say that after Jesus, Agape is the best fit for the human heart. That’s…
Read MoreGrowing in the Theological Virtues – Fully Understanding Human Love (Charity)
English speakers are at a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to fully understanding human love. Our language only admits to one kind of love. When I teach young people about sexuality, love and chastity I illustrate this point by telling them: I love chocolate. I love my truck. I love my wife. Then…
Read MoreGrowing in the Theological Virtues: to Love as Jesus Loves (Charity)
The theological virtues empower us to have a relationship with God. But they do this by building on human nature with the supernatural gifts of grace. So far we have explored human aspects of love. Eros, storge, and philios are human forms of love. Grace strengthens these types of love. But this last form of…
Read MoreDaily Reading: We Too Believe and Therefore Speak
Today’s Readings for the Holy Mass Today is the feast day of Saint John the Greater, believed to be the first Apostle to face martyrdom. Today’s readings in the Holy Mass begin with a New Testament reading from 2Corinthians. Saint Paul talks about being powerful witnesses to Jesus by evangelizing even the face of persecution.…
Read MoreDaily Reading: Woe to Those Who Plan Iniquity
Today’s Readings for the Holy Mass In today’s first reading the prophet Micah tells us that the wicked are doomed Woe to those who plan iniquity, and work out evil on their couches; But it doesn’t often seem like the wicked get punished. Too often in our fallen world, the selfish, dishonest and downright mean…
Read MoreGrowing in the Theological Virtues – Human Love & Friendship (Charity)
The Theological Virtues are like muscles. We receive them from God. But we have to exercise them to keep them and to strengthen them. Human love doesn’t just happen to us. We need to consciously strengthen it and nurture it. In this article we continue to answer what role emotions and desires play in human…
Read MoreGrowing in the Theological Virtues – Emotion, Desire and Human Love (Charity)
The Theological Virtues are like muscles. We receive them from God. But we have to exercise them to keep them and to strengthen them. Human love doesn’t just happen to us. We need to consciously strengthen it and nurture it. What role do emotions and desires play in human love? Are the theological virtues related…
Read MoreLean Into Joy
Emotional happiness is like a rabbit. If you have ever observed one, you can relate to this story. Rabbits are fluffy and cute while they sit and munch on their food. Their outward appearance is content and happy. But, if they hear an unexpected noise they quickly change their demeanor. They hop high in the…
Read MoreLean Into Goodness
Have you ever met someone who you considered to be good? By following their actions you were able to determine they weren’t just doing good deeds, but that they themselves were full of goodness. Goodness is a fruit that can be cultivated and grown in our lives. When it’s grown into virtue, then goodness becomes…
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