Growing in virtue can be difficult, especially if we are trying to be virtuous through our own efforts.
Often we will start out on a good note, progressing in virtue in little ways, but then we will fall and wonder where we went wrong.
For St. Thomas Aquinas, the key is to not try and become virtuous through our strength, but by the strength we receive from gazing at the crucified Jesus.
Virtue on the cross
The Office of Readings provides an excerpt from a conference St. Thomas Aquinas gave on virtue. In it, he explains that if we want to grow in virtue, we need to look to the cross:
Whoever wishes to live perfectly should do nothing but disdain what Christ disdained on the cross and desire what he desired, for the cross exemplifies every virtue.
St. Thomas Aquinas then goes on to list some of the virtues and how they are found in Christ’s crucifixion:
If you seek the example of love: "Greater love than this no man has, than to lay down his life for his friends." Such a man was Christ on the cross. And if he gave his life for us, then it should not be difficult to bear whatever hardships arise for his sake.
If you seek an example of humility, look upon the crucified one, for God wished to be judged by Pontius Pilate and to die.
If you seek an example of obedience, follow him who became obedient to the Father even unto death. For just as by the disobedience of one man, namely, Adam, many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one man, many were made righteous.
The key, for St. Thomas Aquinas, is to not attempt virtue based on our own strength, but only through the strength we receive from the cross of Jesus Christ.
Virtue is difficult to attain and we should never try to led a holy life through our own efforts alone.
