01/09/2024

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

“It is the things that come out that make us unclean.”

Rituals are  fine – fine rituals are fine as they help us maintain our identity and a sense of belonging to our community – but they do not reveal morality or character.

It was John Galsworthy who said that “A man - meaning man or woman - is the sum of his actions, of what he has done, of what he can do, nothing else.”

In life there are  - traditionally – seven vices and seven virtues. Vices draw us away from a Christlike life-style. The virtues draw us closer to Christ.

Just to let you know, it was in 590CE, that Pope Gregory I rewrote the list of seven deadly sins, changing them to lust, gluttony – including drunkenness and drug-taking, greed, sloth, envy, wrath or anger and hatred, and pride.

In our Christian tradition, the seven “heavenly virtues” combine the four cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude with the three “theological virtues” of faith, hope, and charity.

The seven “capital virtues” - also known as contrary or remedial virtues - are those opposite to the seven deadly sins. 

They are chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and humility.

Witty Oscar Wilde reminded us that “ Some people cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.” I try to generate joy wherever I arrive. How about you?

As you will not remember all these words – and though you can find my homilies on my website fathervlad.com – I will leave copies of today’s homily on the table in the porch  for you to ponder and discuss back home.