July 5, 2018
St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Dear Family of Mary!
“…My children, you are given the freedom to choose, but, as a mother, I implore you to choose the freedom for the good…” (July 2, 2018)
Our Lady often reminds us that we are free. God has created us with autonomous wills. We must choose the way we will go in life. In fact, our lives are filled each day with choices. And she wants us to practice choosing the good, always!
Mother Church teaches us about our freedom and our choices in The Catechism of the Catholic Church. In Part Three, Section One, Chapter One, the Catechism explains the dignity of the Human Person. In Article 7 it talks about the virtues (those habits that orient us towards the good) in this way:
1803 “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”(Phil. 4:8)
A virtue is an habitual and firm disposition to do the good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself. The virtuous person tends toward the good with all his sensory and spiritual powers; he pursues the good and chooses it in concrete actions.
The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God. (St. Gregory of Nissa)
1804 Human virtues are firm attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual perfections of intellect and will that govern our actions, order our passions, and guide our conduct according to reason and faith. They make possible ease, self-mastery, and joy in leading a morally good life. The virtuous man is he who freely practices the good.
As Our Lady implores us, let’s desire to choose the good, using our God-given freedom for the good!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2018
