[Pearls Ep. 119 – Monday Motivation]
We’re looking at Jesus’ “new” commandment – “Love one another, as I have loved you.”
It’s the last part that makes it new. Jesus loves us perfectly – because He sees each one of us as His own precious creation whom He loves with divine love.
It’s a tall order for us to follow that model.
In fact, it’s impossible for us.
We can’t do it on our own.
We need grace.
First and foremost we need the supernatural grace that comes with our baptism – the infusion of charity; divine love.
But then there’s the “ordinary grace” of God’s guidance on how to put that gift of charity into practice. God is constantly guiding us – and one of His go-to methods is through the example of His saints.
Here’s some great love advice from St. Teresa of Avila.
St. Teresa was a keen observer of human nature – including her own strengths and weaknesses. She had a profound understanding of the truism that we most often recognize faults in others that we ourselves possess. She turned to Jesus’ teaching on managing this universal pitfall – “remove the plank from your own eye before attending to the splinter in your brother’s…” Her imminently practical application of Jesus’ teaching is twofold: when you’re disturbed by someone’s flaw, (1) love them in that flaw, and (2) as an expression of that love, practice the opposing virtue (because you probably possess the same flaw).
For example, let’s say a friend of yours always orders raised donuts with sprinkles. Donut heresy. You would, (1) learn to love their enjoyment of lousy donuts, and, (2) set the world back in equilibrium by always ordering a glazed cake donut.
Not good enough?
Here’s another example. My (Steve) ire is kindled when I encounter proud, egotistical people. I can smell them coming a mile away. Maybe-just-maybe I also have an extra helping or two of pride. St. Teresa recommends something like this:
- I love my neighbor in their pride. To love someone with divine love (to love like Jesus) is to desire the highest and best for them. So, I would reflect on their pride, try to understand the root of it, appreciate their strengths (which are probably the object of their pride), and pray for God to heal any disordered emotional attachment they have to those strengths – so they can make the most of them without falling into pride.
- I would practice humility. Perhaps praying a novena for humility. Or reflecting on passages of scripture like the prideful Pharisee and humble tax collector (Luke 8:9-14). And all the while praying for the best things for my neighbor and that my effort to grow in humility would also be a source of grace in their life.
In the postscript we have a summary of the 7 deadly sins and opposing virtues.
More likely than not the week ahead will bring us ample opportunity to practice the wisdom of Christ as expressed by St. Teresa.
Blessings on your journey with Christ –
Steve and Karen Smith
Interior Life
Postscript: vices and opposing virtues.
| Pride | Humility “Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Mt 23:10-12) |
| Greed (Avarice) | Generosity and Trust in God “Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.” (Mt 5:41,42) |
| Lust | Chastity “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Mt 5:27,28) |
| Anger | Meekness “But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic.” (Lk 6:27-29) |
| Gluttony | Temperance (e.g. discipline, moderation, sobriety) “Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour.” (1Peter 5:8) |
| Envy | Kindness “But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” (Lk 6:35) |
| Sloth | Diligence and Magnanimity “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Mt 7:21) |