Episode 58 -- Spiritual Combat c34 -- Growing in Virtue one by one with Degrees

How quickly should I expect to obtain a certain virtue?

In chapter 33, Fr. Scupoli gave us six pieces of advice for the beginning of our spiritual life. He told us to focus on one virtue at a time. He did not want us to have a different virtue for each day of the week. Focus on the area that most needs growth. In chapter 34, Fr. Scupoli digs deeper into this piece of advice. He explains why this “ONE VIRTUE” at a time approach is so wise. What he adds in chapter 34 is our need to make progress by degrees. “Rome is not built in a day,” the saying goes. And the Second Apostle of Rome liked to say, “Saints are not made in four days.”

In other words, we must manage our expectations of how quickly we make progress. The key is to keep going. The key is to persevere.