Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Virtue... A foundation for organic change

Virtue is defined as: moral goodness; upright living; righteousness. It is the conduct of one’s life in accordance with principles of Righteousness. It is doing to others as you would have them do to you. 

Virtue challenges us to lift each other up in the face of circumstances that are down-pressing and depressing. Virtue is that light in the darkness that warms the cold, comforts the afflicted, reassures the frightened, and points the way to those who may be lost.

Virtue moves us toward each other. It makes us care in a culture where one person’s mis-step or misfortune is treated as nobody else’s concern. Virtue opens our eyes where it is more convenient to be blind. When we care, we align our lives with the cause of Justice. When we align our lives with the cause of Justice, we find ourselves in solidarity with the purpose of working to liberate ourselves and our fellowmen from all circumstances that are dehumanizing. These circumstances range from personal habits of drug and sexual addiction to  the corporate cultivation of inhumane working conditions. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, the culture of brutality that has become entrenched in some of our vital institutions.

Virtue calls us to call each other to personal and corporate accountability. It challenges us to let our light shine as a guide to others. Virtue reminds us that an authentic love is not a function of our simple-minded heroism, but rather a substantial commitment to the kind of organic change that transforms our communities and nation. It is the necessary foundation on which our functionality as individuals, as communities, and as nations are built. 

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