Homily: June 1, 2026 Monday of the Nineth Week in Ordinary Time (Grow in Virtues)

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 “Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue.”

Many of us, including myself, would be happy if we could just live every day without committing any serious sin. And to be able to just live out the basic life of a faithful – pray daily and receive the sacraments regularly – that should be enough and would be good with God.

But St. Peter is challenging us to grow, go beyond the minimum, he says: “Supplement your faith with virtue.” 

Faith, like health, cannot be stagnant. The basic daily meals may not be enough to keep us healthy and strong enough to meet growing needs, we may need supplements to add nourishment and nutrients. Faith too needs to grow and bear fruit, so supplement it with virtue.

What are the virtues to add on?

Cardinal virtues are prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude. Theological virtues are faith, hope, and charity. Just avoiding sin is not enough, we need to pack in virtues to be strong.

We must bear fruit with our faith. The Christian life is about love in action, and true love does not return empty.  Consider the list of Christian virtues, and pray to be patient, generous, forgiving, courageous, loving and more.

Ask yourself, or your family and friends to help you reflect: What virtues do you need to develop or strengthen so you can become a better Catholic Christian? 

May the Lord help us not only to avoid sin but also to grow in holiness and virtue, so that our lives may bear abundant fruit for His glorious Kingdom.

Amen.


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