Find the best models to imitate, Church Fathers: Day 354

Last updated on: July 10, 2015 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

Find the best models to imitate, Church Fathers: Day 354 2015-07-03T05:24:48-05:00 Pete Socks

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Find the best models to imitate

A bit of practical advice for monks, but also for anyone else, from St. John Cassian: if you’re looking for virtues to imitate, don’t expect to find all the virtues in one model. We all have different strengths.

It is an ancient and excellent saying of the blessed Anthony that when a monk is trying through the monastic life to reach the heights of a more advanced perfection, and, having learned the consideration of discretion, is able now to stand in his own judgment, and to arrive at the very summit of the anchorite’s life, he ought by no means to seek for all kinds of virtues from one man however excellent.

For one is adorned with flowers of knowledge, another is more strongly fortified with methods of discretion, another is established in the dignity of patience, another excels in the virtue of humility, another in that of continence, another is decked with the grace of simplicity. This one excels all others in generosity, that one in pity, another in vigils, another in silence, another in earnestness of work.

And therefore the monk who desires to gather spiritual honey ought, like a most careful bee, to draw the virtue from those who specially possess it, and should diligently store it up in the vessel of his own heart; nor should he investigate what any one is lacking in, but only regard and gather whatever virtue he has. For if we want to gain all virtues from some one person, we shall with great difficulty or perhaps never at all find suitable examples for us to imitate.

–St. John Cassian, Institutes, 5.4

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

When I think of virtues like humility, generosity, continence, who among the people I know most exemplifies each virtue?

What could I learn from each of those people?

CLOSING PRAYER

Father, fill me with your Spirit that filled the lives of your saints, so that I may share their joy in your Kingdom.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed at the top of the page so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Mike Aquilina and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.

A Year with the Church Fathers

Mike Aquilina

Saint Benedict Press

Saint John Cassian

Previous Post

July 9, 2015

CBB Giveaway - Praying the Gospels: Jesus Launches His Ministry

Next Post

July 11, 2015 Remember the martyrs, Church Fathers: Day 355

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Year with Mary A Year with the Angels A Year with the Church Fathers Book News Children's Review Featured CD Giveaway Guest Post Interview Linked Review Media review Movie Review New Releases Off the Shelf Review speakers Teen Review The Clergy Speaks The Laity Speaks The Open Book Podcast Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz