9/2/2019 RCIA 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues Virtuous Living • Goal of the virtuous life is to become like God • Living in truth and love is the only authentic response to… You, therefore, must be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48) 2 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues Virtuous Living Grace and Virtue • Virtue: “habitual and firm disposition to do the good” (CCC 103) • Good is known thru grace & faith working in love 3 1 9/2/2019 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues Virtuous Living The Human Virtues • Firm attitudes • Stable dispositions • Habitual perfections of intellect & will • Govern actions • Order passions • Guide conduct • Acquired by human effort • Elevated by sacramental graces 4 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues Virtuous Living The Cardinal Virtues • Prudence – Directs what is to be done or avoided in the pursuit of good 5 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues Virtuous Living The Cardinal Virtues (cont.) • Justice – Helps promote equality between persons – The foundation for any society 6 2 9/2/2019 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues Virtuous Living The Cardinal Virtues (cont.) • Fortitude – Strength to accomplish good actions in the face of difficulties 7 The Fortitude (1470) by Sandro Botticelli 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues Virtuous Living The Cardinal Virtues (cont.) • Temperance – Moderation – balance desires to achieve true happiness Representation of temperance (painted wood sculpture, dated 1683, which covers the shrine of the baptismal church Breton Commana in France). 8 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues Virtuous Living Theological Virtues • Faith – We commit ourselves entirely to God • Hope – Sustains joy, avoids discouragement • Charity – The greatest of all virtues 9 3 9/2/2019 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues Virtuous Living Unity of the Virtues • Virtues grow in strength with cultivation & practice • Virtues diminish with lack of use • Prayer increases them • Repeated serious sin can lose them 10 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues Virtuous Living Unity of the Virtues (cont.) • Virtuous living transforms us as fallen creatures into redeemed and divinized ones ready to behold God in his unspeakable holiness and light. 11 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues Responding to the Great Mysteries Introduction • The great mysteries = the deposit of faith – Known because God revealed them • Creed (credo): a statement of faith – Unites all believers 12 4 9/2/2019 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues Responding to the Great Mysteries Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of Heaven and earth? • God created humans • Our first parents sinned separating us from God • Patriarchs, enslavement, and occupation before the promised redeemer came 13 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues Responding to the Great Mysteries Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? • Immanuel is incarnated • Redemption accomplished through the Paschal Mystery 14 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues Responding to the Great Mysteries Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting? • The Holy Spirit sent to lead and guide the Church • Faithful living out of baptismal promises brings the promise of eternal life 15 5 9/2/2019 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues Creed Introduction • Creed – A short summary of the truths of the faith – A rule of faith • Standard to determine whether preaching and teaching authentic expression of the deposit of faith left by Jesus – Easily committed to memory and passed on 16 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues The Virtue of Faith Response and Virtue of Faith • Faith – Our response to God – A gift (but free to refuse it) – Infused at Baptism (but HS working on those on the way) – Ultimately reasonable – not a blind assent • Human mind limited, but difficulties ≠ to doubt 17 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues The Virtue of Faith Response and Virtue of Faith (cont.) • Belief – Surrendering to the will of God – Obeying God – A commitment of the whole self freely to God 18 6 9/2/2019 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues The Virtue of Faith Faith and the Church • Faith received thru the ministry of the Church • Seed of faith at Baptism • Faith grows through… – reception of other sacraments – prayer – study of revealed Word – sharing it 19 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues The Virtue of Faith Interaction Between the Deposit of Faith and the Virtue of Faith • Deposit of faith is the sure foundation of our faith 20 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues The Virtue of Faith Faith and Suffering • Suffering and trials bring our faith to perfection The Lord disciplines whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives (Hebrews 12:6) I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed (Romans 8:18) 21 7 9/2/2019 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues The Virtue of Faith Trials of Faith • Doubt – Trust in Jesus is needed • Hard teachings of the Church – Understanding will come for those who seek in faith – Submit to prayer and study asking for understanding – Patience and humility required 22 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues The Virtue of Faith The Vigilance of Faith • Perseverance through prayer and vigilance • Devil always tries to disrupt our faith I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7) 23 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues The Virtue of Hope • The Virtue of Hope – Infused at Baptism – Confident trust in God’s blessing and promise of eternal life – Should be present in every situation – Its enemies: • Presumption: salvation and forgiveness assured • Despair: sin and suffering causes loss of hope in eternal happiness 24 8 9/2/2019 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues The Beatitudes • The Beatitudes – Matthew 5:1-12 – Jesus from the mountain pro- claims the new law of the Gospel – Key to understanding the new life of grace – Answers: what is human happiness and where can it be found? – Helps us experience the Kingdom here & now – Reveal that true happiness is found in God alone 25 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues The Virtue of Charity The Virtue of Charity • Given to us at Baptism • The greatest gift of God • Able to love God above all things • Able to love neighbors in a supernatural way • Jesus’ love is the source of charity Love one another as I have loved you (John 15:12) • Source and goal of the Christian life • Binds all virtues together (pervades all our actions) 26 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues The Virtue of Charity Charity: The Source and Holiness of Life • Moves our faith to action • Inspires us to unimaginable depths of love • Especially love and care for the poor • Christian holiness is all about charity – Faith must bear fruit in our actions Faith working through love (Gal 5:6) 27 9 9/2/2019 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues The Virtue of Charity Charity and the Holy Spirit • Holy Spirit – Responsible for movement of grace in our hearts – Infuses the gift of charity – Giver and source of divine love • Fruits of charity – Joy – Peace – Mercy 28 9: The Cardinal and Theological Virtues 29 10.