Presuming upon our own abilities and not relying on Jesus to gain the Kingdom of Heaven will inevitably lead to despair and disappointment. The narrow gate is a reminder that the path to Heaven is a difficult one that can only be trodden through complete reliance on the Son of God.
The cardinal virtues are key moral virtues. โCardinalโ comes from the Latin cardo, which means โhinge.โ Thus, the Catechism says, โFour virtues play a pivotal role and accordingly are called โcardinalโ; all the others are grouped around them.
Pride has been the downfall of many, including Satan and the fallen angels. The saints, in their tenacious struggle for virtue, are apt examples of humility, the ablest weapon against pride.
Sorrow and loss are inevitable elements of human existence. It is in Christ and by the enlightening power of the Holy Spirit that the dross of life is eliminated. In Christ, every obstacle is surmountable.
Jesus brings us the fire that challenges and purifies. He allows chaos that will lead to spiritual order. The burning away of our iniquities is the only and surest way to resembling Christ as children of the Father.
The CCC (No. 1803) explains โA virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do the good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself. The virtuous person tends toward the good with all his sensory and spiritual powers; he pursues the good and chooses it in concrete actions. โThe goal of a virtuous life is to become like Godโ (St Gregory of Nyssa, De beatitudinibus, 1).โ
Only in embracing a childlike spirit and trust in God can we hope to attain true freedom and the prospect of being with our heavenly Father for eternity.
Parishioners were joyful to be able to commune with each other and the Lord in person once again. Even the measures to prevent another outbreak were not enough to put a damper on the happiness of being in church.
St Dominic Guzman is hailed as one of the prominent saints of the Catholic Church. Not only did he establish the Dominican Order, continuing the work of God with fiery zeal, he was also instrumental in the propagation of the Rosary of the Virgin Mary.
Lacking awareness or purposely denying facts, assuming that there will be no repercussions, are pitfalls of shallow faith that the Gospels warn us about. If we want our final reward to be with God, we must become the loyal stewards that God desires us to be.