Why do we need the 7 virtues to love in truth?

WHY WE NEED THE 7 VIRTUES TO LOVE IN TRUTH Student’s Name Course Date Why We Need the 7 Virtues to Love in Truth Introduction In the intricate web of Catholic doctrines, seven virtues act as pillars, helping many Christians lead a true path to love and moral integrity. These virtues– chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and humility are rooted in long traditions of theological contemplation from which they justify a good life. This article aims to study the strong connection between these attributes and the longing for true love in Catholicism. Cardinal virtues include chastity, temperance, patience, and diligence, whereas theological virtues comprise charity, kindness, and humility based on religious-philosophical traditions. Pinckaers and Michael define such qualities as moral guides, guiding people to virtue and spirituality. According to Catholicism, the seven virtues are vital to attaining the true loving mode. These traits lead people to love God, themselves, and also their fellow men sincerely, loyally, expectantly, and charitably. Through the practice and application of these virtues, Christians can navigate through the relationships’ challenges as well as life with a clear moral compass influence.[Servais Pinckaers and Michael Sherwin, Passions and Virtue (CUA Press, 2015), 2.] The Seven Virtues Chastity According to Catholic virtue, chastity means individuals devoting themselves to purity and integrity in their sexual thoughts and words as deeds. This virtue goes much further than abstinence and is also full of respect for the sanctity of that human sex. Through monogamy, chastity assists people in keeping to that contract while evading the snares of desires and infidelity; this contributes significantly towards loving truthfully.[Hwa Yeong Wang, “Chastity as a Virtue,” Religions 11, no. 5 (May 21, 2020): 1.] Chastity prevents individuals from becoming objects and instruments of enjoyment. People who live with this virtue recognize the sanctity contained in every man and woman because everyone is fashioned after God. This knowledge builds an atmosphere where love cannot be touched by selfish concerns but is based on the genuine respect and admiration of the other. In the Catholic tradition, chastity is considered a path to real love– one whereby commitment in marriage remains intact while purity of sexual intimacy also holds. Pinckaers and Michael analyze the connection between chastity and love; they argue that it is supposed to guide sexual expression toward moral perfection.[Craig Titus, “Servais Pinckaers and the Renewal of Catholic Moral Theology,” Journal of Moral Theology 1, no. 1 (2012): 45.] Several biblical figures act as paragons of practical chastity. For example, when approached by Potiphar’s wife, Joseph avoided the temptation of showing devotion to God and observing the sanctity of marriage. In Jesus’ motherhood, Mary was the perfect embodiment of purity that came with a vignette and fervor. The ascetic life of John the Baptist showed his dedication to purity and integrity in the search for divine truth. The Catholic Church’s Catechism illustrates the importance of chastity in building true love. It emphasizes that continence is a positive virtue in the light of building a unified and virtuous self instead of a negative one by avoiding sins.[Sam A. Hardy and Brian J. Willoughby, “Religiosity and Chastity among Single Young Adults and Married Adults.,” Psychology of Religion and Spirituality 9, no. 3 (August 2017): 286.] Temperance From a Catholic moral point of view, temperance refers to self-restraint and moderation. It becomes an individual’s predestination to guide, and it is allowed to control the needs and appetites that will create an atmosphere proper for the manifestation of genuine love. Temperance helps in purity, chastity, and true love by avoiding debauchery.[Craig Titus, “Servais Pinckaers and the Renewal of Catholic Moral Theology,” Journal of Moral Theology 1, no. 1 (2012): 46.] However, temperance is a conscious attempt to bring harmony and control over peoples’ natural compulsions. Temperance allows humans to navigate the intricacies of desire, guiding these desires toward ethics and moral implementation in acts of attachment. Pinckaers and Michael immerse themselves in the importance of temperance for virtue and love; it enables people to fit their actions into moral norms. Temperance supports true love by establishing an ambiance that is free from overindulgence. It is not limited to material desires but also encompasses various aspects of life, encouraging moderation and reasonableness about enjoyment, consumerism, and satisfaction with oneself. In this way, temperance acts as a safeguard for greed and the transformation of love into an instrument that brings about personal satisfaction.[Servais Pinckaers and Michael Sherwin, Passions and Virtue (CUA Press, 2015), 3.] Some of the manifestations of temperance in the Catholic tradition are as follows. For self-control and moderation, another good example is fasting, which applies during the Lenten season. Temperance manifests as abstaining from alcohol or drinking moderately. Another form of temperance is modesty in dress and behavior, which Catholic preachings recommend to encourage purity and chastity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1809) focuses on temperance as a cardinal virtue- recognizing it gives limitation to pleasure and brings about balance in using created resources.[Sam A. Hardy and Brian J. Willoughby, “Religiosity and Chastity among Single Young Adults and Married Adults.,” Psychology of Religion and Spirituality 9, no. 3 (August 2017): 288.] Charity In the Catholic tradition, charity is a virtue that transcends human affection and teaches people to love God more than themselves and their fellow men. Charity, which is built from selfless dedication, serves as the one guiding light that shapes peoples’ ability to love in a very genuine and honest way but, most importantly, compassionately. Charity allows people to practice genuine love by directing their affections faithfully toward God. It calls for surrendering believers’ h...