Practising virtues in ordinary life

In our ordinary life, as we make our way through this world alongside the companions of our profession or position – as the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together, and such is our life – God our Father gives us the opportunity to practise all the virtues: charity, fortitude, justice, sincerity, temperance, poverty, humility, obedience, etc. I will tell you with St John Chrysostom who addressed those who dreamt of practising the virtues on difficult occasions and in the public squares and reminded them that, “we can practise all these at home, with our friends, our wives, our children. Let us begin with the basics and the easy things – for instance, not swearing; and let us practise this one rudiment continually at home. For, in truth, there are many things at home to hinder our practice: for a man’s servant arouses his temper, his wife annoys and angers him, a disobedient and disorderly child provokes him to threats and swearing. So if at home, when thus continually galled, you should manage not to swear, how easily you will be able to remain unconquered also in the market-place!”⁸

An example

I can tell you another simple and clear anecdote. Some years ago, before God wanted his Work, I knew an older person who used to leave his clothes untidily, thrown here and there. When someone pointed this out to him, he replied, “The clothes are for me, and not me for the clothes.” Later, when God called me to his Work, I recalled that event. I then understood that clothes, the things that I make use of, are not for me; or rather, they are for me but for God’s sake, who allows me to live poverty by using them carefully and making them last.