Embracing Virtue and Love in the Light of Tradition
In the readings assigned for Feria VI after the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, we are graced with a profound meditation on the virtues that lead to true happiness and the commandments that summarize the law and the prophets. These scriptures, Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11 and Matthew 22:29-40, invite us to reflect on the timeless wisdom that has been cherished and expounded upon by the Church Fathers.
Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11 – The Blessedness of Virtue
“Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish, and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures. Who is he, and we will praise him: for he hath done wonderful things in his life. Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed; and could do evil things, and hath not done them: therefore are his goods established in the Lord.”
This passage extols the virtues of temperance and integrity, portraying the blessedness of a person who, despite wealth, remains unblemished by the temptations of avarice. St. Augustine, in his treatises, often emphasized the superiority of spiritual wealth over material possessions. He noted that true riches are found in a soul that is steadfast in virtue, echoing the sentiment of Ecclesiasticus. Augustine wrote, “The true value of a man is his virtue, not his wealth. Wealth can be taken away, but virtue remains.”
St. Gregory the Great also underscores this wisdom by pointing out that virtue, tested and proven, leads to everlasting glory. He states, “The measure of a man’s worth is not found in the abundance of his riches, but in the strength of his virtue.”
Matthew 22:29-40 – The Greatest Commandments
“Jesus answered and said to them: You err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they shall neither marry nor be married; but shall be as the angels of God in heaven. But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken by God, saying to you: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And the multitudes hearing it, were in admiration at his doctrine. But the Pharisees hearing that he had silenced the Sadducees, came together: And one of them, a doctor of the law, asked him, tempting him: Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law? Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets.”
In this passage, Jesus distills the essence of the law into two commandments: love of God and love of neighbor. St. John Chrysostom comments on this passage by highlighting the interconnectedness of these two loves. He remarks, “He who truly loves God cannot but love his neighbor. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.”
St. Augustine also reflects on the profound unity of these commandments, asserting that the love of God naturally leads to the love of others. “When we love God with all our heart, we come to love ourselves rightly and thus love our neighbors as ourselves,” he writes. Augustine’s interpretation underscores that authentic love for God transforms and elevates our relationships with those around us.
Integrating the Wisdom of Scripture and Tradition
In both passages, we find a call to a higher standard of living—a life marked by virtue and grounded in love. The wisdom of Ecclesiasticus challenges us to seek integrity over wealth, while the teaching of Jesus in Matthew calls us to prioritize love as the foundation of our moral and spiritual life.
The Church Fathers, through their reflections, offer timeless insights that help us to understand and live out these biblical principles. They remind us that our ultimate happiness and fulfillment lie not in the accumulation of material wealth but in the cultivation of virtue and the practice of love. As we reflect on these readings, let us be inspired by their teachings and strive to embody the virtues and commandments that lead us closer to God and to one another.
In the spirit of this liturgical season, may we deepen our commitment to living lives of integrity and love, drawing from the rich tradition of our faith to guide us on this path. Let us pray for the grace to remain steadfast in virtue and to love God and our neighbors with our whole heart, soul, and mind. Amen.