I think this is a good reminder on a number of levels.
For example, on a personal level, it can cause us to reflect on whether our actions, which may have had their roots in virtue, have become routine and are no longer serving the good of the other, i.e, that sometimes what starts out as true charity toward another can, over time, become a routine which leads to a form of enabling. We need to constantly ask ourselves “why am I doing this? Is is for them or for me?”
This, of course, can also be applied on an organizational level, where attachment to “the way we’ve always done it” leaves us blind to changing realities and the need for a change in approach. To be clear, I am speaking of practical actions directed towards the good of the other...not compromise on matters of faith and morals. I believe this is what you were referring to when you spoke of a change to an Apostolic approach, given we no longer live in an age of Christendom. As Mary Eberstadt states in her recent book, ADAM AND EVE AFTER THE PILL-REVISITED, “Evangelization in such a time demands creativity of a new order. It is analogous to explaining to someone who has only lived in apartment buildings what it might be like to live in a house - especially when he has never seen a house.”
Whatever we consign ourselves to remains an act of our own will even when we consign ourselves in the direction of what is good. Paul speaks of not doing the good that we want to do as an aspect of the law of sin, which is our human weakness (cf. Romans 7:14 thru 8:2; Matthew 26:41). We are strengthened from the law of sin through the influence of the Holy Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:22-23). Our own will-power for producing a good consignment is insufficient.
Grace is important but so is our cooperation. The focus of this post was to get our attention on the movement of the will. If our attention is there, we will quickly realize we need grace to change it.
How grace flows into us through the Holy Spirit within us is something that needs more clarification in the Church. There is no grace for us without humility toward God (cf. James 4: 6-10; 1Peter 5:5-7). I had never heard of this type of humility during my Catholic school upbringing. When I learned of it and used it later, after I had drifted away from the Church, Christianity came alive for me. It is now an essential part of my Catholicism.
Yes, my posts don’t seem to focus on what you’d like them to, quite often. Thanks for letting me know. No matter what is said, there will always be more to say and nuance
I generally don’t assume that my added ideas are absent in an article because of time and space restraints. Because I was not taught them when I was growing up, I have reason to think that they are not generally taught in the Church even though they are a part of official Church teaching if you know where to look. I have found them essential; therefore, I believe that they add important elements to the discussion.
It’s important not to bypass nature by grace. That tends to be a Protestant error. “Grace builds on nature” is a worthy thing to note here. In many practical cases, if there is a psychological wound, or a vice in the Cardinal sense, faith cannot be built off of these virtues and it’s “received in vain.” (Cf. Luke 8: 4-15; Matthew 13: 18-23; 2 COR 6:1-2)
I believe that our human nature is enhanced and strengthened by grace which flows into us through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is within us as a helper and a comforter. There can be no virtues from God within us without prior faith. Virtue is power from God that strengthens us (cf. Galatians 5:16-24; 2Corinthians 5:17).
Thank you Father for this article. Made me think of Mother Teresa’s ‘Do everything with Love.’
I think this is a good reminder on a number of levels.
For example, on a personal level, it can cause us to reflect on whether our actions, which may have had their roots in virtue, have become routine and are no longer serving the good of the other, i.e, that sometimes what starts out as true charity toward another can, over time, become a routine which leads to a form of enabling. We need to constantly ask ourselves “why am I doing this? Is is for them or for me?”
This, of course, can also be applied on an organizational level, where attachment to “the way we’ve always done it” leaves us blind to changing realities and the need for a change in approach. To be clear, I am speaking of practical actions directed towards the good of the other...not compromise on matters of faith and morals. I believe this is what you were referring to when you spoke of a change to an Apostolic approach, given we no longer live in an age of Christendom. As Mary Eberstadt states in her recent book, ADAM AND EVE AFTER THE PILL-REVISITED, “Evangelization in such a time demands creativity of a new order. It is analogous to explaining to someone who has only lived in apartment buildings what it might be like to live in a house - especially when he has never seen a house.”
Whatever we consign ourselves to remains an act of our own will even when we consign ourselves in the direction of what is good. Paul speaks of not doing the good that we want to do as an aspect of the law of sin, which is our human weakness (cf. Romans 7:14 thru 8:2; Matthew 26:41). We are strengthened from the law of sin through the influence of the Holy Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:22-23). Our own will-power for producing a good consignment is insufficient.
Grace is important but so is our cooperation. The focus of this post was to get our attention on the movement of the will. If our attention is there, we will quickly realize we need grace to change it.
How grace flows into us through the Holy Spirit within us is something that needs more clarification in the Church. There is no grace for us without humility toward God (cf. James 4: 6-10; 1Peter 5:5-7). I had never heard of this type of humility during my Catholic school upbringing. When I learned of it and used it later, after I had drifted away from the Church, Christianity came alive for me. It is now an essential part of my Catholicism.
Yes, my posts don’t seem to focus on what you’d like them to, quite often. Thanks for letting me know. No matter what is said, there will always be more to say and nuance
Was there anything you found helpful here, Peter?
I generally don’t assume that my added ideas are absent in an article because of time and space restraints. Because I was not taught them when I was growing up, I have reason to think that they are not generally taught in the Church even though they are a part of official Church teaching if you know where to look. I have found them essential; therefore, I believe that they add important elements to the discussion.
Was there anything you found helpful here, Peter?
Because our best intentions can be motivated by pride, I was reminded of the verse that “whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23).
It’s important not to bypass nature by grace. That tends to be a Protestant error. “Grace builds on nature” is a worthy thing to note here. In many practical cases, if there is a psychological wound, or a vice in the Cardinal sense, faith cannot be built off of these virtues and it’s “received in vain.” (Cf. Luke 8: 4-15; Matthew 13: 18-23; 2 COR 6:1-2)
I believe that our human nature is enhanced and strengthened by grace which flows into us through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is within us as a helper and a comforter. There can be no virtues from God within us without prior faith. Virtue is power from God that strengthens us (cf. Galatians 5:16-24; 2Corinthians 5:17).