S08E09 - Luta: Perseverança

Padre Faus

26 Feb 202114:13

Summary

TLDRThe video script discusses the importance of perseverance and virtues in the journey of faith, using the example of a tree and a post to illustrate the need for continuous renewal and growth. It emphasizes the significance of reflection, contrition, and humility in overcoming challenges and maintaining a steadfast commitment to spiritual improvement. The narrative draws inspiration from Saint José Maria Dias, encouraging viewers to approach their spiritual path with optimism, akin to a child's innocence and eagerness to please, and to view failures as opportunities for learning and growth.

Takeaways

🙏 The importance of prayer and invoking the Holy Spirit to fill the hearts of the faithful with love and to renew the face of the earth.
📚 The discussion on the three means of acquiring virtues: education, deliberate acts, and perseverance with effort.
🌳 The analogy of the tree and the post to illustrate the need for renewal and growth in virtues, contrasting the tree's vitality with the post's deterioration.
🚸 The emphasis on perseverance not being a blind consequence of the first impulse but a reflected and conscious decision.
🧘‍♂️ The significance of reflection over emotion, and the need to start with the right intention and purpose in the pursuit of virtues.
💡 The advice to reflect on the journey, not just the destination, and to seek guidance through prayer and prudence to overcome negative states of mind.
❤️ The two ways of loving God: filial obedience and generous compliance with God's will, as illustrated by the parables of the prodigal son and the publican.
🙇‍♂️ The power of humility in the face of failure, and the importance of not collecting merits but focusing on the intention and effort to please God.
🌱 The concept of life as a constant return to the Father's house through conversion of the heart, manifested in acts of sacrifice and giving.
🏆 The importance of maintaining an optimistic spirit, learning from failures, and continuing the struggle with the support of spiritual guidance and grace.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Espírito Santo in the context of the video script?
-Espírito Santo, or the Holy Spirit, is significant as it is mentioned as filling the hearts of the faithful and igniting the fire of divine love, suggesting a role in spiritual enlightenment and motivation for virtuous actions.
What are the three means of acquiring virtues discussed in the script?
-The script mentions three means of acquiring virtues: through education, by deliberate acts, and through perseverance that is always resumed with effort.
How does the script use the analogy of a post and a tree to illustrate the concept of perseverance?
-The script contrasts a deteriorating post with a Pitangueira tree that grows and renews itself. This analogy is used to explain that virtues, like the tree, require continuous renewal and growth to bear fruits of love and sanctity.
What role does reflection play in the process of acquiring virtues according to the script?
-Reflection is crucial in the process of acquiring virtues as it helps to ensure that perseverance is not a blind consequence of the first impulse but a deliberate and thoughtful continuation of effort.
How does the script relate the concept of returning to God with the idea of perseverance?
-The script equates returning to God with the constant effort to improve and the decision to change, which is manifested through acts of sacrifice and donation, symbolizing a return to the 'house of our father' through conversion and confession.
What is the importance of humility in the journey of perseverance as described in the script?
-Humility is important because it prevents the despondency that comes with failure. It encourages a childlike simplicity and a recognition of our own weaknesses, which helps in not giving up despite our shortcomings.
How does the script suggest we should view our efforts in the pursuit of virtues?
-The script suggests viewing our efforts as a child would, not expecting immediate grand results but being motivated by the desire to please, even if the attempts are clumsy, understanding that God is aware of our frailty.
What does the script say about the role of optimism in the struggle for virtues?
-Optimism is portrayed as essential in the struggle for virtues. It encourages us to view failures as learning experiences and to maintain confidence and trust in God's guidance, even when the outcomes are not as expected.
How does the script use the metaphor of a sportsman to explain the attitude towards perseverance?
-The script encourages an athletic spirit, where one learns from failures, leaves them behind, and continues to train harder, understanding that perseverance is necessary to achieve the heavenly rewards that God offers.
What advice does the script give on how to maintain perseverance in the face of challenges?
-The script advises reflecting on the reasons for starting the journey, seeking God's will, and exercising virtues like prudence and humility. It also suggests breaking down goals into smaller, more manageable tasks and seeking spiritual guidance to improve the 'training'.

Outlines

00:00

🔥 Perseverance in Virtue Development

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of perseverance in the journey of spiritual growth and virtue acquisition. It discusses the role of deliberate acts and the need for continuous effort even when faced with challenges or the temptation to give up. The metaphor of a tree and a post illustrates the contrast between stagnation and growth, highlighting the necessity for renewal and progress in one's spiritual life. The paragraph suggests that reflection on one's journey, rather than blind persistence, is crucial for true spiritual development.

05:00

💖 The Power of Contrition and Humility

The second paragraph delves into the significance of contrition and humility in the process of spiritual growth. It contrasts the love of God through filial obedience with the self-love that often leads to failure in spiritual endeavors. The narrative uses parables, such as the prodigal son, to illustrate the importance of seeking forgiveness and returning to the path of virtue with renewed commitment. The paragraph also underscores the role of humility in overcoming the bitterness of failure and maintaining a childlike simplicity and trust in God's understanding and support.

10:04

🏋️‍♂️ The Athletic Spirit in Spiritual Endeavors

The final paragraph encourages adopting an athletic spirit in one's spiritual journey, highlighting the importance of optimism and resilience. It draws parallels between the discipline of an athlete and the discipline required in spiritual pursuits, suggesting that just as an athlete learns from failure and trains harder, so too should one approach spiritual challenges with the intent to improve and grow. The paragraph also touches on the role of spiritual guidance in setting goals and refining one's spiritual practice, ultimately aiming for the 'heavenly prize' that awaits those who persevere in their faith.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Perseverance

Perseverance refers to the continuous effort to achieve a goal despite difficulties, failure, or opposition. In the context of the video, it is a key concept for spiritual growth and achieving virtues. The script mentions that perseverance should not be a blind consequence of the first impulse but a reflected decision to continue despite challenges. An example from the script is the comparison of a tree and a post, where the tree symbolizes perseverance through renewal and growth, while the post represents stagnation.

💡Virtues

Virtues are moral excellences that guide a person's character and ethical behavior. The video emphasizes the importance of acquiring virtues through deliberate acts and perseverance. The script discusses three means of acquiring virtues: education, deliberate acts, and perseverance. Virtues are likened to a tree that needs renewal and growth to bear fruits of love and sanctity.

💡Reflection

Reflection is the process of thinking deeply about one's actions, feelings, and motivations. In the video, reflection is presented as a crucial step in the process of perseverance and acquiring virtues. It is contrasted with blind persistence and is encouraged as a way to thoughtfully continue one's journey towards improvement. An example is the script's advice to reflect on the reasons for starting a virtuous path and to continue with a deliberate and conscious effort.

💡Humility

Humility is the quality of being modest and not thinking too highly of oneself. The video script highlights humility as a strength that helps in the struggle for virtues. It is presented as a counter to the discouragement that comes from failure and the lowering of self-esteem. The script uses the example of Jesus Christ, who is moved by both the innocence and the repentance of his followers, to illustrate the importance of humility in spiritual growth.

💡Repentance

Repentance is the act of feeling regret or remorse for one's actions and resolving not to repeat them. In the video, repentance is discussed as a way to return to God's love and mercy, emphasizing the importance of seeking forgiveness and starting anew. The script refers to the parable of the prodigal son to illustrate the concept of repentance and the father's (God's) readiness to forgive.

💡Optimism

Optimism is a positive and hopeful attitude towards life and the future. The video encourages maintaining an optimistic outlook even in the face of failure or setbacks. It suggests that optimism should be supported by the understanding that every effort, even if it seems to fail, contributes to growth and learning. The script uses the metaphor of fishing with Saint Peter, where despite a night of unsuccessful fishing, optimism leads to a bountiful catch.

💡Spiritual Growth

Spiritual growth refers to the development of one's spiritual or religious life, often involving the cultivation of virtues and a deeper relationship with the divine. The video script discusses the importance of spiritual growth through the acquisition of virtues, reflection, and perseverance. It uses the metaphor of a tree that grows and renews itself to produce fruits, symbolizing the growth of virtues in a person's life.

💡Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the act of pardoning or ceasing to hold a grudge for a wrong. In the video, forgiveness is presented as a divine attribute and a path to spiritual renewal. It is discussed in the context of repentance, where seeking forgiveness from God is seen as a way to return to a state of grace. The script emphasizes that God's forgiveness is an opportunity to start anew and continue the journey of spiritual growth.

💡Self-Esteem

Self-esteem refers to the value and respect a person holds for themselves. The video script addresses the impact of failure on self-esteem, suggesting that it can lead to feelings of inadequacy and discouragement. It encourages the development of a healthy self-esteem through the recognition of one's efforts and the understanding that setbacks are part of the growth process. The script advises viewing oneself with the eyes of God, who sees the sincerity and effort behind one's actions.

💡Spiritual Struggle

Spiritual struggle refers to the challenges and efforts one faces in their spiritual journey. The video discusses the concept of spiritual struggle as an integral part of the path to virtue and sanctity. It uses the metaphor of a race, where the struggle is necessary to achieve the spiritual 'prize'. The script encourages viewing spiritual struggles as opportunities for growth and learning, rather than as insurmountable obstacles.

💡Confession

Confession, in a religious context, is the act of admitting one's sins to a priest or directly to God. The video script mentions confession as a means of returning to God's grace and as part of the process of repentance. It is described as a sacrament that allows individuals to be reconciled with God and to receive the strength to continue their spiritual journey. The script emphasizes the importance of confession in maintaining a close relationship with God.

Highlights

The video 'Espírito Santo' fills the hearts of the faithful and ignites the fire of divine love within them.

Continuing the conquest of virtues, it is possible to meditate without the need for perseverance in sports or the struggle of the Catholic Church.

Discussed three means of acquiring virtues: education through deliberate acts, the high in the third by perseverance, always resumed with effort.

Perseverance requires not giving up, even if the effort is interrupted before reaching the end.

The analogy of a post and a Pitangueira tree, both deteriorating over time, illustrates the need for renewal and growth in virtues.

The tree, in contrast to the post, undergoes a vital process of renewal, growing in beauty and foliage, symbolizing the need for virtues to be renewed and bear fruits of love and sanctity.

The importance of reflection in perseverance is emphasized, contrasting it with the blind consequence of the first impulse.

The need for reflection is more important than emotion, as starting with enthusiasm can lead to fatigue, pessimism, and the temptation to see efforts as an illusion.

Pedro Rodrigues, a known theologian, clarifies the importance of reflection and love in the pursuit of virtues.

The concept of returning to God with a contrite heart and the desire to change, manifesting in acts of sacrifice and donation.

The power of humility is highlighted as a key factor in not giving up the struggle, contrasting the bitterness of failure with the compassion of Christ.

The importance of optimism in the struggle for virtues, comparing the smallness of human efforts to the greatness of God.

The spiritual coaching and guidance can help define the way to improve the 'training' with the help of grace, to persevere.

The message that those who persevere to the end will be saved, emphasizing the importance of not giving up the struggle for virtues.

The importance of having a sporting spirit, learning from failures, and moving forward with the aim of achieving the heavenly rewards.

The advice to start with small, manageable steps in the conquest of virtues, avoiding the trap of irritation and working towards improvement.

The reminder that without Jesus, nothing can be achieved, and the importance of relying on His support in the struggle for virtues.