Advent at Work: The Virtue of Fortitude...continued
We continue with Advent at work and our discussion of the virtue of fortitude, one of the Four Cardinal Virtues. Having last time covered
moral courage against the evil spirit of the times, against improper
fashions, against human respect, against the common tendency to seek at
least the comfortable, if not the voluptuous. we now address the balance of the definition found in the Catholic Encyclopedia:
Note especially that fortitude requires not so much extraordinary strength or daring; you're not courageous only when you fight Goliath or walk onto a battlefield with bullets flying. We don't have to be endowed with special physical skills or possess the emotional and psychological characteristics that allow for great risk-taking. Not everyone can be a warrior, or a successful entrepreneur. All of us, however, can press on in the face of great difficulties or daunting odds. Even the little pinpricks that stick us during the typical work day may wear us down, cause us to settle for second best, or become impatient, rude, or even angry with others.
This pressing on we call perseverance, "which tolerates no occasional remissness, still less occasional bouts of dissipation to relieve the strain of high-toned morality and religion." To be remiss means lacking care of attention to duty. If we feel worn down by a particularly difficult assignment, a prickly co-worker, or just because we've been working especially long and hard, the temptation may arise to become lax, take our eye off the ball, rest when we should be pushing forward. Resisting this tendency builds fortitude, that virtue which, when fully developed does not allow us to be remiss.
As for "occasional bouts of dissipation," such temptations arise not only from "the strain of high-toned morality and religion, but also simply from putting in long, tough hours on the job. We're not talking about having a drink at the end of the day here. Nothing wrong with that (in moderation, of course). We're talking about those times when some of us "let go" and indulge ourselves such that moderation becomes a four-letter word. It could be bouts of eating, drinking, drug-taking, illicit sexual activity. If, by God's grace you've never given in to such a fall from that grace, count your blessings. Too many of us have and do. If tempted, perhaps the thought that doing so will delay or negate your developing the virtue of fortitude will strengthen your will to resist. In resisting, your fortitude meter will jump.
With that we'll wrap up our review and discussion of the Four Cardinal virtues - Prudence, Temperance, Justice, and Fortitude - as part of our Advent discipline and practice. With Our Lord's coming now just about a week hence, intensifying our practice of these key virtues will enhance our Christmas joy. He will find us engaged in the struggle to improve our minds, hearts, and souls with the help of these virtues. Recognizing that none of us is, was, nor ever will be truly worthy to receive the Divine Infant of Bethlehem into our hearts, we also know that His love and mercy brought Him to us on that first Christmas Day, will bring Him to us again at His Second Coming, and right now, this day, brings Him to our yearning souls as we lift our minds and hearts in prayer and sacrifice, in our fervent Advent devotions.
We need courage also to be patient under poverty or privation, and to make laudable struggle to rise in the social scale. It requires fortitude to mount above the dead level of average Christianity into the region of magnanimity, and if opportunity allow it, of magnificence (ed: the doing of something great), which are the allied virtues of fortitude, while another is perseverance, which tolerates no occasional remissness, still less occasional bouts of dissipation to relieve the strain of high-toned morality and religion."No matter our economic and social position in this world, the virtue of fortitude provides us with the patience we need when we lack the finer things in life, even if we're downright poor, even as we struggle to improve our lot. And fortitude will propel us to the level of magnanimity - the practice of generosity, even magnificence. While patience in poverty or deprivation keeps us from being envious or resentful, we should still - if our particular circumstances allow - aspire to a level of financial success in order to allow our magnanimity and magnificence to benefit others who might be in need. Yes, we need to provide a modest security to our families. But if at all possible, we ought to aspire to help others attain some basic level of security.
Note especially that fortitude requires not so much extraordinary strength or daring; you're not courageous only when you fight Goliath or walk onto a battlefield with bullets flying. We don't have to be endowed with special physical skills or possess the emotional and psychological characteristics that allow for great risk-taking. Not everyone can be a warrior, or a successful entrepreneur. All of us, however, can press on in the face of great difficulties or daunting odds. Even the little pinpricks that stick us during the typical work day may wear us down, cause us to settle for second best, or become impatient, rude, or even angry with others.
This pressing on we call perseverance, "which tolerates no occasional remissness, still less occasional bouts of dissipation to relieve the strain of high-toned morality and religion." To be remiss means lacking care of attention to duty. If we feel worn down by a particularly difficult assignment, a prickly co-worker, or just because we've been working especially long and hard, the temptation may arise to become lax, take our eye off the ball, rest when we should be pushing forward. Resisting this tendency builds fortitude, that virtue which, when fully developed does not allow us to be remiss.
As for "occasional bouts of dissipation," such temptations arise not only from "the strain of high-toned morality and religion, but also simply from putting in long, tough hours on the job. We're not talking about having a drink at the end of the day here. Nothing wrong with that (in moderation, of course). We're talking about those times when some of us "let go" and indulge ourselves such that moderation becomes a four-letter word. It could be bouts of eating, drinking, drug-taking, illicit sexual activity. If, by God's grace you've never given in to such a fall from that grace, count your blessings. Too many of us have and do. If tempted, perhaps the thought that doing so will delay or negate your developing the virtue of fortitude will strengthen your will to resist. In resisting, your fortitude meter will jump.
With that we'll wrap up our review and discussion of the Four Cardinal virtues - Prudence, Temperance, Justice, and Fortitude - as part of our Advent discipline and practice. With Our Lord's coming now just about a week hence, intensifying our practice of these key virtues will enhance our Christmas joy. He will find us engaged in the struggle to improve our minds, hearts, and souls with the help of these virtues. Recognizing that none of us is, was, nor ever will be truly worthy to receive the Divine Infant of Bethlehem into our hearts, we also know that His love and mercy brought Him to us on that first Christmas Day, will bring Him to us again at His Second Coming, and right now, this day, brings Him to our yearning souls as we lift our minds and hearts in prayer and sacrifice, in our fervent Advent devotions.
Divine Infant of Bethlehem
Come and take birth in our hearts!
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