VIRTUE FOR FEBRUARY: FORTITUDE
HOW CAN I PRACTICE THE VIRTUE OF JUSTICE?
Living the virtues
By Gabriel Kraus
VIRTUE FOR FEBRUARY: FORTITUDE
The virtue of the month for February is Fortitude. A simple synonym for Fortitude is courage or bravery. We must practice Fortitude to do the right thing in the face of fear. Fortitude helps us overcome the obstacles that prevent us from doing what is right and just. Fortitude is an act of kindness to ourselves and to others because we are behaving in a manner that is pleasing to God. The brave person endures suffering and faces fear in situations where he knows that avoiding the situation would be a greater evil. An example of fortitude might be eating lunch with an unpopular student who is eating alone. You might be afraid to be harassed by your classmates but you believe it would be wrong to leave the unpopular student alone. Living this virtue will be rewarded by God in Heaven.
HOW CAN I PRACTICE THE VIRTUE OF JUSTICE?
By Maureen Hannon
Justice is the quality that helps us be just, fair, and kind, all at the same time. The story of the Judgement of King Solomon helps us understand what it is like to be just.
The Israelites came to King Solomon when they needed help. One day two women came to him with a baby boy. The women said they lived in the same house. They each had a baby, but one of the babies had died. Now both women wanted the baby that was alive. Each mother said he was her baby. They wanted King Solomon to tell them who could keep the baby. Solomon wanted to find out which woman was the baby’ s mother. He had a wise plan. He asked for a sword. He told a servant to cut the baby in half. He would give half of the baby to each woman. Solomon would not really let the baby be cut in half. He wanted to see what the women would do. He knew the baby’ s mother would not let her son be hurt. One mother told Solomon not to cut the baby in half. She did not want the baby to be hurt. She loved the baby. She said the other woman could have him. The other woman told Solomon to cut the baby in half. Then Solomon knew who should keep the baby. The real mother did not want the baby to be hurt. Solomon gave the baby to her.( 1 Kings 3:16-26)
This story gives us the perfect example of how to be just in our life. Practicing justice every day, or as often as we can, helps us be more holy. And remember, holiness leads us to God.