Jesus, please increase in me the virtue of reverence and help me resist the spirit of scurrility. I know that humility is the beginning of wisdom, and that a truly humble soul is trained to live in humility. Please help me be truly humble and reverent, so that I am not a hypocrite who proclaims to have love and reverence for God, who I don’t see, but lacks love and reverence for my neighbor, who I do see.
Lord, please give me a strong distaste for irreverent and abusive behaviors. If I have any desire in my heart to attack the dignity of another person through denigrating thoughts, words, or behaviors, please help me overcome them. You know my heart and all the ways I can displease you with my lack of true charity. Help me combat the spirit of scurrility so that I may have reverence for my fellow man and be pure of heart. Give me the virtue of reverence so that I might respect and honor every human being with charity and dignity. Let me be salt and light and a reflection of your love in the world.
Lord, you know me, and all the secret ways I battle with an insidious hidden pride in my heart. I sometimes secretly compare myself with others so that I might believe my value is greater than them and my holiness is more pleasing to you. I shamefully admit that I value outward appearances and my own public image over the condition of my interior life. My pride is offensive to you, and I know that I truly lack righteousness, even though I may appear righteous toward others by outward appearances. True righteousness is being in right relationship with you. Let my humble heart love others in the same reverent way you love me.
Jesus, you warn us not to be bad teachers, and that we are liable to judgement when we show irreverence toward others, especially in public. Do not let me hold onto grudges and refuse to forgive in my heart. Please, Jesus, be merciful to me and heal me of my lack of reverence. Lord, help me combat the spirit of scurrility through authentic humility of heart and true charity. My own evil inclinations make me want to belittle or discredit others. It is my wicked pride that makes me see the speck of sawdust in my brother’s eye but fail to see the log in my own.
Forgive me for all my pride, my lack of reverence, and the vice of scurrility. I humbly repent of the sins of my heart.
AMEN.
The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for:
The dignity of man rests above all on the fact that he is called to communion with God. This invitation to converse with God is addressed to man as soon as he comes into being. For if man exists, it is because God has created him through love, and through love continues to hold him in existence. He cannot live fully according to truth unless he freely acknowledges that love and entrusts himself to his creator.
Virtue of Reverence will Combat the Spirit of Scurrility
Words of Isaiah the Prophet on Those Who Slander
by St. Hildegard von Bingen
And the children of those who afflicted you shall come and bow down to you, and all who slandered you shall worship your footsteps” [Isaiah 60:14]. What does this mean?
O You Who are celestial Peace and the purest Sun! By You shall burst forth the living root, which is regeneration by the Spirit and water, and those who had lain prostrate under the heaviest curse in the filth of horrible impurity shall come eagerly to acknowledge You; and thus bowed down, they will rise at last to truth and justice.
How?
They will suck the maternal sweetness of the true faith, not knowing it by sight but grasping it by faithful belief. And who are they? Those who sprang in sin from a race that never saw You in Your burning charity but persistently afflicted and oppressed You as if You were not their destined ruler; but who came to their senses and most sweetly loved You.
And so when they come to follow the true faith they will accept You as King, and adore You as Lord and run swiftly in the holy paths You have shown them; they will gaze on You always with uplifted hands and keep constant vigil before You by good works, never growing weary of seeing You by faith; and all this will be done by those who formerly tore You without shame or reverence, and divided You in hatred and envy; but now they will embrace You ardently in the mirror of faith.
Scivias, Book 2 Vision Five Paragraph 25
Week 31 of the Virtue Meditations Series
Virtue of Reverence will Combat the Spirit of Scurrility
Reflection:
Have you ever had to forgive a really bad offense, an evil that was done to you? Our ability to forgive and be forgiven always comes to the same place, love. Our capacity to love comes from God. How deeply we are able to love and honor God is how deeply we are able to love our neighbor. The more we can love God with a pure heart, the more love we will naturally have for our neighbors, especially the marginalized and those hard to love.
God is the source of all our goodness, and the reason we have any ability to love at all. So we can logically conclude that those who lack love and are hard to love have difficulty knowing God and loving him. If we can be the light of Christ to others then we can help them learn to love God and grow in virtue. Love covers a multitude of sins [1 Peter 4:8].
It’s difficult to love someone who makes our lives difficult. Everyone has experienced abusive relationships. We all know someone who is difficult to love. In our brokenness we turn away from unlovable people. Our pride wants to tell us we are better than them, and so we compare ourselves to them and tell ourselves we are more holy and righteous and more lovable as a result. We may deride them and tell their faults to others so as to justify our unforgiveness and validate our pain. Some of us may publicly shame them, pointing out their inadequacies. But this is committing the very same kind of offenses that were committed against us and for which we struggle to forgive. Two wrongs do not make a right. Any form of rudeness that is intended to hurt someone is an example of the spirit of scurrility.
Am I Judging Others Harshly, in a Spirit of Scurrility?
We are merely humans and we lack the omnipotence of God. We see ourselves and our lives in a very narrow finite way. We do not know the future, no matter how much we seek it through various prophecies or subject matter experts we consult. We simply can’t know if the person who most deeply offends us right now and has deep hatred for God will one day praise his holy name for eternity in heaven. We have to recognize that we know nothing and therefore our irreverence toward the sinner is a total lack of charity and an offense to God.
When we lack reverence for both God and our fellow man, we see what we hate in others and we turn away in disgust. Our pride tells us we are better, and we may even like to tell them how so. I am reminded that Jesus taught us that no man is good except God [Mark 10:19].
We all fall short. We are guilty of the spirit of scurrility when we speak abusively to and about our brothers and sisters in Christ.
The Virtue of Reverence forms in a Pure Heart
Reverence is a matter of the heart, it is an interior disposition and not an external one. You may dress correctly, recite your prayers perfectly, bow, genuflect, and act in a most honorable way in Church before God and others. But do you act the same way in your home to your family when no one is watching? Are you reverent toward those who are under your charge? Do you do your prayers also when you are alone with God, or do you skip them because there is something else you would rather do? Can you show charity toward those who have nothing to give you and to those who look repugnant to you? Are you able to kiss the leper like St. Francis of Assisi did when the Holy Spirit bid him to?
Reverence to God means respect for every single human being on this planet, even those who are untouchable and those who proclaim themselves to be your enemy.
I heard it once said that when we speak ill of someone its a form of ‘killing’ because our words are a form of destruction against their soul. While it is important to instruct those who God has placed in our care and under our authority, we must not harm their souls through the vice of scurrility. We read in 1 Thessalonians 2:7 that we ought to be gentle with them like a nursing mother caring for her child. We need to be firm, yet soft. We have to be salt and light, a lampstand that guides them toward the love of God. Our actions speak the depth of our love and when we act with the spirit of scurrility we are harming them.
Going Further:
If you’d like to go further and meditate on the virtue of reverence, read Hebrews 12:1-13. Pause over a word or phrase that touches your heart. Spend a few moments in silence, asking the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. Is something calling out to you? You may want to journal about it.
It begins: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart” [Hebrews 12:1-13].
Let us Pray:
Now that we understand the virtue of reverence, let’s begin with a prayer of petition for it.
Virtue of Reverence
Prayer of Petition
Eternal Father, I am the work of your creation, made in your image and likeness but too weak to conquer the devil by my own power. I ask you for the grace to grow in virtue, surrendering all my thoughts, words, and deeds to you. Please help me resist the devil and all his tricks. Jesus says that whoever believes in him will do the works that he does and that whatever we ask in Jesus’ name he will do so that You may be glorified. Heavenly Father, you sent us your Son to show us what it means to have perfect virtue in life. Jesus is fully human and fully divine and has perfect virtue. Father, have mercy on me and please give me the grace I need to grow in the virtue of reverence so that I might overcome the spirit of scurrility and imitate Christ in my thoughts, words, and deeds. AMEN
Now let’s contemplate the Lord by listening to him speak to us in the Gospels. Slowly meditate on the following passage, reflecting on his virtue of reverence. Take your time. Pause over a word or phrase that speaks to your heart. Reread the passage again, and then ask Jesus to show you how you can imitate him in his reverence and better combat the spirit of scurrility. Choose a word or phrase from this passage to write in your journal, and add your thoughts. Go back and prayerfully re-read it throughout the week.
Virtue of Reverence will Combat the Spirit of Scurrility
We are Called to have a Deep Respect for God and Man
from the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5:17-26
[Jesus began to teach them:] “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
Let us Pray:
Jesus, please guide my heart and mind to be always reverent. Let me show love for you in my heart and let my love for others be a light. No one is good but God alone, but if I can be a Temple of the Holy Spirit, I can bring your love to those that you have given me authority over. Let me nurture them with gentleness and kindness, showing them reverence and respect so that when they look at me they see you.
I ask all this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
Virtue of Reverence will Combat the Spirit of Scurrility
A Prayer for an Increase in Virtue for Others
Lord Jesus Christ, you say that when two or more are gathered in your name, you are with us. Jesus, in your name I lift up every person who has joined this prayer challenge or will join it in the future. I ask you to give us all the grace we need to grow in virtue and holiness so that we may love and serve you in our lives and through the people we love and care for. Help us in our thoughts, our words, and our actions. Guide us all by your Holy Spirit and give us the strength to overcome every temptation from the evil one. We ask all this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, AMEN.
Together as a group we will pray for each other and strive to make good resolutions and keep them. Remember, it’s your heart that God wants to capture. Your efforts are out of love for him and a desire to imitate him as best you can in holiness.
If you fail, do not quit trying. Be merciful to yourself and learn to love the process of striving to have the virtue of reverence and be more like Jesus every day. Just take it one day at a time, and stay in the present moment with Jesus, especially in the moment you are tempted by the spirit of scurrility. Keep your gaze on Jesus. Being virtuous is a process. No one is perfect, so just start anew every time you fail.
How do I Practice Virtue?
You’ve learned about the 31st Virtue, and you’ve prayed for God to give you grace. Now what? Let’s take a look at the Catechism for some guidance on how we can make Week 31 a successful effort.
Believing in God, the only One, and loving him with all our being has enormous consequences for our whole life. It means coming to know God’s greatness and majesty:
“Behold, God is great, and we know him not.” Therefore, we must “serve God first.”
It means living in thanksgiving: if God is the only One, everything we are and have comes from him: “What have you that you did not receive?”
“What shall I render to the Lord for all his bounty to me?”
It means knowing the unity and true dignity of all men: Everyone is made in the image and likeness of God.
Making Resolutions
Take a moment to reflect on the virtue of reverence. What are the ways you can freely practice this virtue this week? Ask the Lord to give you opportunities, and when you feel the Holy Spirit prompting you, take action. Write down your resolutions for this coming week in your prayer journal. Remind yourself to complete these resolutions daily for this entire week, and as the Spirit prompts you, feel free to write about your experiences with this virtue throughout the week.
In My Thoughts:
Jesus, this week I promise to take time daily to conform my thoughts by… (make your intention).
In My Words:
Jesus, this week I promise to take time daily to conform my words by… (make your intention).
In My Actions:
Jesus, this week I promise to take time daily to conform my actions by… (make your intention).
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Week 32 Mental Prayer Meditation
Direct Me from Aimlessness to Quiet Stability
“Direct Me from Aimlessness to Quiet Stability” – join us for our 32nd meditation on the 35 virtues of St. Hildegard of Bingen.
2 Responses
I want to ask something not related to the virtues. The catholics are sometimes labelled as a dénomination that worships idols(the crucifix, and the statues of Holy Saints and our Lady). What can I use and defend my faith
Ogoo, as a former Protestant believer in Jesus, I understand their beliefs about idolatry. I recognize where they fail to see the truth about Catholic belief in venerating saints as intercessors in heaven. Much of what some sects are taught are inaccurate descriptions of Catholic worship and belief, but they are also taught not to look into Catholicism itself because it is not Christian, so many believe without looking to see what the Catholic Church teaches in the Catechism.
In the online world, there are a lot of influencers who are paid to promote content, and so you may experience aggressive pushback from some of these influencers. It is always wise to pray before we pick up our weapons and begin making a battle against heresy online. They know their verses well and they are taught to anticipate our response and refute it. It is even more difficult when the aggressor is a beloved member of your family, so a gentle response is always best and one done with kindness and charity.
I Am Jesus website began as a tool for users to use while in the Adoration chapel during a Holy Hour. When it began in 2020 there were a handful of users. Over the years we have evolved to include excerpts from the Catechism and a couple expanded multi-week meditation series that use Lectio Divina. We began these prayerful scripture meditations to help Catechize those who are coming into the faith and those who are returning back to the faith after a long time.
We have been feeling a need for some time to add some kind of prayerful ‘apologetics’, especially since our user base has tripled in 2024 and includes people from every faith all over the world. Nearly half of the visitors to our website in 2024 are either new to the faith or have been gone for so long that they remember little or were poorly catechized to begin with. Another half of our users are very devout Catholics with tremendous prayer habits, like yourself.
While in prayer last week I began to ask the Lord what we should focus on next after the virtue meditations. I believe he wants our next series to be prayerful reflections on the dogmas of the Church. Your request seems to confirm that this would be a good idea, and perhaps the direction we should go in next. I believe the Lord wants us to take the Divine Praises prayer and do a deep dive with each praise of each of the Dogmas represented. Your request fits exactly into this next series as one of the meditations we would include, “Blessed be God in his angels and in his saints.”
Thank you for your inquiry. It was a divinely inspired nudge, for sure!