In living a full human life, as God’s creation—where we’re not content to just skate by, to live in indifference without any sort of intention—I feel like there are some levels.
The first might be what you’d call human virtue. Really, just being a decent human being kind of falls into this camp. Pursuing virtue, separate from faith.
And maybe some people stop there.
The next step is adding the faith element. Accepting the theological virtues. Living a life of piety and devotion.
Going to Mass. Saying your prayers. Following the commandments. Doing all the things from a Church perspective.
Even that, I think, is not the full picture.
Because you can be living excellently from a human perspective—virtuous, kind, moral.
And you can be doing all of the things from a Church perspective—attending Mass, saying prayers, practicing devotions.
But those do not necessarily equate to being transformed by the Holy Spirit. To a life of real relationship with Christ.
Virtue and piety can almost seem a little stale. A little mechanical. Now, they are absolutely necessary. Don’t hear me saying otherwise.
But maybe they’re not sufficient.
As we go through our day, go through our week, go through our Easter season, let’s be decent humans. Let us be pious Catholics.
But let’s also be transformed by the Holy Spirit.
Not just virtuous. Not just devout.
Let us pray.
Lord, we want to be transformed by Your Spirit. We want real relationship with You. Don’t let us settle for virtue without life, or piety without love. Make us alive in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Keep fighting the good fight. Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
