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 .