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Saturday 20st
Week OT
Bon Secours Retreat
August 22, 2015
THE EVIL CYCLE OF
“VIRTUE” ++++++++++++++++++++
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For most of us, being good is so demanding that
we are rather pleased w/ ourselves when it happens
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The greater the struggle, the more pride we feel
in having achieved success
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Naturally we want others to be aware of how well
we have done, so we begin to modify our behavior so that everyone can see how
good we are
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Inevitable many people are kind enough and
simple enough to be taken in by these tactics
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They give us the seats of honor and address
themselves to us w/ veneration
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And we glow in their admiration
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Perversely, such “virtue” is its own reward
“VIRTUOUS”
POLITICIANS +++++++++++++++++++++++
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Vanity and seeking approval are the special
temptations of the virtuous
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Like morally bankrupt politicians who follow
polls rather than policies, the virtuous may tailor their actions with a view
to impressing those who might observe them
NO NEED FOR SALVATION
+++++++++++++++++++++++
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Like the OT prophets who denounced religious
performance when it was used to disguise injustice and unkindness …
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Jesus warns us not to be misled by people who
try to gain ascendancy over others by their virtue and good works
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Virtue can be a wall between us and God, since
the self-righteous have no need for salvation
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They are doing very will on their own
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Sinners, on the other hand, know they will be
lost unless someone helps them
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Those who recognize this are sincere when they
call out to God, and as Jesus teaches us in a memorable parable, the publican
who admits his sinfulness goes home justified (Luke 18:9-14)
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The Pharisee is left to his own resources
CONCLUSION
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Isn’t it strange that virtue seems to block
access to God more than sin?
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