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20110328 天主,祢是我的力量 You, oh God, are my strength

談過了「智德」和「義德」,今天我們探討「四樞德」中的「勇德」。

現代天主教字典解釋,「勇德」是堅定行善的意志,毋懼困難地善盡本份。

實際上,勇德是對困難承擔及含忍,當中同時特顯出那份寬宏大量和忍耐。

寬宏大量

寬宏大量是慷慨的性格,並非以自我為中心的野心,對天主和他人有所承擔,有著無私服務的特性;它不會因面對可能的失敗而裹足不前,引致一事無成地白活人生。

要為天主和他人幹一番大事,必先要從小事上忠信。真福德蘭修女說:「天主並不召叫我們,卻召叫我們忠信。」聖伯多祿. 加戴說:「在天主眼裏,盡力而為的,就做了大事。」

忍耐

耶穌會會士若望.赫頓神父在現代天主教字典中,把「忍耐」定義和層次概述說:「(忍耐)使人在天主聖意下,無憂無怨地去承受一切,順從天主的旨意。忍耐是在面對困難時,內心先別埋怨,然後從修德角度去排除萬難,甚至為愛天主,而以超性的喜悅,期望及接受艱辛的十字架。」

聖方濟.沙雷說:「面對困難和矛盾,不必以摧毀手段對付,可以溫良和假以時日,使之臣服。」他又說:「容忍世界之先,首要容忍自己。」

聖麗莎.安瑟棠建議:「當你怒火中燒時,想想天主更應向你惱怒,但祂卻仍舊對你忍耐寬容。」

培養勇德

神修生活必要有「勇德」。神修歷程開始之時,要不怕付出,莫懼風險,克服無理的批評,不圖取悅他人;神修的進步要我們效法基督無匹敵的勇氣,敢於宣講真理,耐心忍受苦痛。

亞道夫.鄧奎利神父在他的「超性生活」一書中,指出修成「勇德」的方法 ——

一、 在我們內心,首先不要自負或依賴自己,但對天主有絕對的信心,因為「我們分享了天主的能力,尋求耶穌基督的支持而變得攻無不克。」

二、 對上述兩點加上因信條而產生深刻信念例如: 承行主旨的必要、躲避罪惡、人生的終向。我們亦要把這些信念習以為誡

三、能高瞻遠矚,洞悉前路障礙,等於把困難減半;對困難「磨拳擦掌,勇於克服。」

四、我們要緊記,天主的愛使我們無所畏懼。聖多瑪斯.阿奎諾說:「全德的愛,有能力承擔最困難的事。」

In the past two weeks we have looked at the cardinal virtues prudence and justice. This week we are looking at the virtue of fortitude.

According to the Modern Catholic Dictionary, the virtue of fortitude “is a steadiness of will in doing good in spite of difficulties faced in the performance of one’s duty.”

In practice, fortitude consists of undertaking and enduring difficult things. In the undertaking of difficult things, fortitude is manifested in magnanimity. In the enduring of difficult things, fortitude is manifested in patience.

Magnanimity

Magnanimity is the generous disposition to undertake great things for God and for others. Magnanimity is not ambition, which is self-centred. The characteristic of magnanimity is disinterested service.

The opposite of magnanimity is inaction through excessive fear of failure. This inaction causes people to waste their lives by doing nothing or almost nothing.

In order to do great things for God and for souls we must begin by doing little things faithfully. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta said, “God does not call us to be successful; He calls us to be faithful.”

St. Peter of Alcantara said, “He does much in the sight of God who does his best, be it ever so little.”

Patience

In the Modern Catholic Dictionary, Father John Hardon, SJ, defines “patience” and outlines its degrees: “[Patience] enables one to endure present evils without sadness or resentment in conformity with the will of God. Patience is mainly concerned with bearing the evils caused by another.

“The three grades of patience are: to bear difficulties without interior complaint, to use hardships to make progress in virtue, and even to desire the cross and afflictions out of love for God and to accept them with spiritual joy.”

St. Francis de Sales said, “When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, don’t try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time.” “Have patience with all the world, but first of all with yourself.”

St. Elizabeth Anne Seton gave this advice: “When you are excited to impatience, think for a moment how much more reason God has to be angry with you than you can have for anger against any human being; and yet how constant is His patience and forbearance.”

Foster fortitude

In the spiritual life, the virtue of fortitude is necessary. At the beginning of the spiritual journey, we must overcome different forms of fear: fear of effort, fear of risk, fear of criticism, and fear of displeasing friends.

As we make progress in the spiritual life, we must have the courage to imitate Christ: facing sacrifice courageously, proclaiming the truth boldly, and enduring sufferings patiently.

Father Adolphe Tanquerey, the author of The Spiritual Life, points out the means of acquiring and perfecting the virtue of fortitude:

First, distrust of self and absolute confidence in God are the two dispositions that must be cultivated in our souls. “We share in the very power of God and become invincible if we seek support in Jesus Christ.”

Second, deep convictions must be joined with these two dispositions, and there must be a habit of acting in accordance with such convictions. Deep convictions, such as the necessity of submitting our will to the will of God, of avoiding sin, and of attaining our end, are the result of contemplation on great religious truths.

Third, since “a difficulty foreseen is a difficulty half overcome,” it is good to foresee obstacles, “to look them squarely in the face, and to muster courage to fight them.”

Fourth, we should remember that nothing renders us so fearless as the love of God. St. Thomas Aquinas said, “Perfect love undertakes even the most difficult things.”