“Scientia maxime cum virtute”

Here is something good to share and meditate on.

Based on the first reading of this Monday, 9th Week of the Ordinary time, Year B, Fr. Stan shares with us his meditation.

Homily: Lesson of moral towards holiness. (2 Pt 1:2-7)

A Chinese proverb says, “Virtue never dwells alone, it always has neighbors.” And another proverb adds, “Gratitude is the least of virtues, but ingratitude the worst of vices.”

 school of Philosophy where our seminarians go, the St. Anthony Mary Claret College (SAMCC) has this beautiful motto, “Scientia maxime cum virtute” (Knowledge is best with virtue) from the words of St. Anthony Claret. This emphasizes that the attainment of knowledge and the discovery of the truth are best when achieved and lived with the minimum if not the necessary virtue to develop a responsible and loving individual. There is no achievement without moral foundation.

Actually, it is not only knowledge which is best with virtue, but even life itself gets all its meaning when lived with virtue and lead to respond to God’s plan.

St. Peter, in today’s first reading affirms that the main purpose of God creating us is in order for us to become like him. God wants us to share in his divinity. Thus, “His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and power. Through these, he has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises, so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature, after escaping from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire.”

God, actually, has not created mankind for damnation. He made us for a life of holiness, that is, to be with him. In order for us to reach that divine end, there are some little requirements. So, Peter states in these words, “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue…”

It is good to have faith. However, true faith cannot stand without virtue. it is good to be virtuous, but what is virtue if we know nothing? It is great to possess all knowledge. But could be a head full of science for, if we don’t have self-control? Self-control is a beautiful thing. But of which help can it be without endurance? And lastly, St. Peter will add to the list that, even to our endurance there is a need of mutual affection, that is, to be able to sympathize and help others in their needs and struggles towards holiness, and this is a great expression of love. He who loves knows God, because, “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) To say is simply, our knowledge must lead us to live a virtuous life and love in order to become like God.

Assuredly, without virtue, all skills and knowledges are good for nothing. One may have a head filled with all sciences and knowledges of everything, if he lacks of virtue, all his knowledges would be of no use neither for him, less for others.

Few days ago, our seminarians and religious brothers graduated in AB Philosophy in that College which has that beautiful motto, “Scientia maxime cum virtute”. In the expression of their joy, they all updated their profiles on social media, mostly on Facebook, with long litany of thanksgiving and gratitude. The sad is, in this litany of gratefulness, very few, to not say none of them, expressly mentioned the Congregation of the Sons of Divine Providence which took charge and care of them for four years for some or more than four years for others. A complete lack of gratitude, while, actually, gratitude is one of the greatest virtues one must cultivate. What then is this science they have acquired in studying philosophy for four years, if it does not open them to the moral virtue of gratitude? Science truly is best when accompany with virtue, and it gives to he who possesses it to grow in faith.

He who is not virtuous lacks of faith, self-control, endurance, devotion, mutual affection and love. In one word, the one who has no virtue has not understood the purpose of his life, because God has created us for love and not for any other thing. And it is only by loving that we become like him.

All that it is about is gratitude. And this could easily be noticed also in the Parable of the murderer tenants. God entrusted us with so many talents, so many graces. All that he wants and expects from us is to give him back the share which is his.