Optional Memorial of Saint Albert the Great, bishop and doctor of the Church

  Lectionary: 498 

The one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says this: “I know your works, that you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Be watchful and strengthen what is left, which is going to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.

In his Salutation of the Virtues, Saint Francis of Assisi pronounced a solemn truth which should put the Holy Fear of the Lord in every Christian: 

There is absolutely no man in the whole world who can possess one [virtue] among you unless he first die. He who possesses one and does not offend the others, possesses all; and he who offends one, possesses none and offends all; and every one [of them] confounds vices and sins.

From there he goes on to list the virtues: wisdom, simplicity, poverty, humility, charity, and obedience. The Sayings of the Companions of Saint Francis describe a lecture by the Saint in which he names the virtues in greater detail, and recalls his first disciples: 

"Blessed Francis used to say that a good Lesser Brother is one who would possess the life and qualities of the following holy brothers: namely, 

• the faith and love of poverty which Brother Bernard most perfectly had; 
• the simplicity and purity of Brother Leo who was truly was the first soldier to enter the Order and was endowed with every a man of most holy purity; 
• the courtly bearing of Brother Angelo who courtesy and kindness; 
• the friendly manner and common sense of Brother Masseo, together with his attractive and gracious eloquence: 
• the mind raised in contemplation which Brother Giles had even to the highest perfection; 
• the virtuous and constant prayer of Brother Rufino who, whatever he was doing, even sleeping, always prayed without ceasing and whose mind was always intent on the Lord; 
• the patience of Brother Juniper who achieves the perfect state of patience because he always kept in mind the perfect truth of his low estate. And the ardent desired to imitate Christ through the way of the cross; 
• the bodily and spiritual strength of Brother. John of Lords. Who at that time in his robust body surpassed everyone;
• The charity of Brother Roger, whose life and conduct were spent in ardent love; 
• the solicitude of Brother Lucidus who had the greatest care and concern and did not want to remain any place for a month; and when he enjoyed staying someplace, would immediately leave, "We do not have a dwelling place here on earth, but in heaven."  Thanks be to God. Amen.   [Francis of Assisi, Early Document, volume III, , page 125]

Returning to "The Holy Fear of the Lord," which is where I began this reflection, we do well to meditate on the virtues and consider our shortcomings. Our familiar human society will always affirm some of our virtues, which inflates the ego. And society will always gossip about our faults, which we suppose are hidden. Flattering oneself is a poor reassurance of salvation. 

But, if we ask, our merciful God who wants only good for us reveals our faults to us. He speaks directly by way of honest reflection; or indirectly by the complaints of loved ones and accurate accusations of enemies. (Sometimes our enemies are the only ones who speak the truth to us.) 

And then, both mortified and relieved, we turn back to the Lord. 

Thanks be to God. Amen.