“Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue…” 2 Peter 1:5
“Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue…” 2 Peter 1:5
God created mankind in his own image and likeness. Unfortunately, people move away from God and in doing this, distort their own nature. God, however, continues to love us and gives us the path of faith to restore our authentic humanity and good friendship.
The gift of faith is not static but dynamic. Humans, by nature, are dynamic creatures and have the dignity to respond to that gift.
In order to grow in faith, it is also necessary to make constant efforts to improve one’s natural abilities.
Virtue, as a habitual and firm disposition to do the good, allows one to become the best version of yourself.
A virtuous person through the use of their own intellectual, volitional and sensual capacities moves to the most accessible authentic good.
There are four cardinal natural virtues that include all the other virtues. These are prudence, justice, courage, and temperance.
Prudence is the tendency to be aware of and to know our true good and to choose the proper instruments for its fulfillment. Prudence forms our judgments of conscience. Because of this virtue, we apply orderly values.
Justice is a virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give tribute to God and to all others. Justice teaches respect for the rights of others and harmony for the common good.
Courage provides stability and firmness in difficulty in zealous of good. It helps to overcome fear, even the threat of physical death.
Temperance restrains the tendency for excessive pleasure and gives equilibrium in the use of goods. A temperate person, through his free will, dominates instincts.
Being a good Christian means being a virtuous person as well.
f. A.R.