Living Virtuously

My mom is the tenth child in a family of eleven children. All eleven were married and never divorced. Ten of the eleven couples had children. Earlier this year we lost my mom’s eldest sister. It brought much sadness to the family and the palpable reminder of the mortality of my parents, aunts and uncles. We had not grieved as a family in many years. There was a coming together.

On Wednesday this week, I attended mass at the San Diego Mission to honor my uncle who is ill and the veil is thinning for him. In more recent months, I feel such a clear call to return to my religious origins. The call is clear.cThe path for returning is less clear and more of a moment to moment process. I decided rather than visiting my uncle, I would attend mass. As soon as I arrived, I felt a sense of refuge and tears streamed slowly for a life well lived and my experience of him. His love for my aunt, his strength and his humor are a measure of his vitality.

The sermon focused on the relationship between inspiration, faith, expression and virtuous living. The suggestion being when we are receptive to being inspired, then our faith deepens and begs for expression which takes the shape of virtuous living.