YOUCAT Question n. 299 - Part X. What is meant by a “virtue”?
(Youcat
answer - repeated) A virtue is an interior disposition, a positive habit, a
passion that has been placed at the service of the good.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 1824) Fruit of
the Spirit and fullness of the Law, charity keeps the commandments of God and his Christ: "Abide in my love. If you
keep my commandments, you will abide in my love" (Jn 15:9-10; cf. Mt
22:40; Rom 13:8-10). (CCC 1825) Christ died
out of love for us, while we were still "enemies" (Rom 5:10). The
Lord asks us to love as he does, even our enemies,
to make ourselves the neighbor of those farthest away, and to love children and
the poor as Christ himself (Cf. Mt 5:44; Lk 10:27-37; Mk 9:37; Mt 25:40, 45).
The Apostle Paul has given an incomparable depiction of charity: "charity
is patient and kind, charity is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or
rude. Charity does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Charity bears all
things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" (1 Cor
13:4-7).
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your
heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). That means that we must change on our
way to God. By our human abilities we can do that only in fits and starts. With
his grace God supports the human virtues and gives us, above and beyond that,
the so-called supernatural virtues ( 305), which help us to come closer to God
and live more securely in his light.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 1826) "If
I… have not charity," says the Apostle, "I am nothing." Whatever
my privilege, service, or even virtue, "if I… have not charity, I gain nothing" (1 Cor
13:1-4). Charity is superior to all the virtues. It is the first of the
theological virtues: "So faith, hope, charity abide, these three. But the greatest of these is charity"
(1 Cor 13:13).
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