... So, I'm going to share with you three things: the name of each of the heavenly virtues, what those virtues look like, and the deadly sin they counter.
Virtue: Humility
'Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.' - CS Lewis
Putting others first.
Not drawing attention to yourself and what you do
Recognising that all yo have comes from God
Counters pride
Virtue: Chastity
Holding fast to our knowledge that we are children of God and that our body is a temple
Other people do not exist for my secual gratification
Not reducing other people to things I must have
Counters lust
Virtue: Patience/Forgiveness
Enduring situations and/or people with dignity and a good spirit
A sense of peaceful stability and harmony
Giving the wounds other people have inflicted on us to God and asking Him to forgive them
Counters wrath
Virtue: Kindness
Compassion and friendship for others, empathy without prejudice for its own sake
The refusal to do harm to others
Counters envy
Virtue: Temperance
Restraint
Constant mindfulness of others and one's surroundings
Self-control, moderation, delayed gratification
The proper response at the proper time
Counters gluttony
Virtue: Charity
Generosity, self-sacrifice, loving with our actions
Giving of ourselves
Counters: greed
Virtue: Diligence
Giving all we have in that hich we are given to do
Strong work ethic
Not giving up on our tasks because they are challengin
Using our time well and being on guard against laziness
Counters the sin of sloth
Read the list slowly and carefully, asking god to help you pick one (not two or more, just one!). Take your time on this. Clear your head. Don't 'run ahead' of God and decide which one you want to go after, wait for his voice in your heart to show you. When you feel that you've got the one you are to go after, write it down and carry it with you. Pray every day that God will strengthen that virtue within you. Ask Him to bless you as you pursue it.
Next, make sure that each day you practice the virtue in some practical concrete way.
Wash, rinse, repeat. Do this every day and realize two things:
One, sin is rarely, if ever finished in us. I don't know that any of us will get to a point where we can say that we have safely put a sin behind us. Be vigilant!
Two, don't give up. Never, ever give up. God will not give up on you When you fall, if you fall, get right to confession. Tell the priest what you are doing with these virtues and wait for the mercy and grace to come pouring down.
I pray that God bless your efforts and that you find great life and joy in taking these first steps toward becoming a saint.
Enjoy another day in God's presence.
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