Episode 22 -- Spiritual Combat c13.3 -- External Acts for Growing in Virtue

What kind of external practices should I do with those who upset me?

Unless we get the roots when pulling up weeds, what happens? The weed returns. It may be a long time later. But it will return. Why do we suddenly show impatience after a long time of being patient?

Fr Scupoli distinguishes between being impatient and the root of this spiritual weed.

Impatience = giving way to disordered impulses of anger

Deep Root of Impatience = “dread of contempt and a fondness for the applause of men” (43).

• Contempt = disdain, disrespect
• Dread = great fear

If we want to uproot all impatience, Fr Scupoli says that we eventually must grow accustomed to being disrespected. We have to develop a desire for being disdained and thought little of by others. Such an interior state is not achieved in four days! But slowly, over time, with lots of spiritual weed-killer (grace) and human effort!

How do we do this? Part of the answer is repetition! We must make frequent internal acts of patience. In other words, we have to hold back repeatedly our anger and repeatedly accept being sad. By repetition, a good habit, a virtue develops.

—> But remember that Fr Scupoli is giving advice to those seeking Christian perfection. His advice is not intended as universal advice to all people in every difficult situation. He is not talking to people undergoing severe trauma or abuse. He is not telling us to enable others in their abusive behaviour. Such situations require patience, but are more complex than the situation Fr Scupoli is describing.

In this episode, we will read about more advice Fr Scupoli gives for developing the virtue of patience and other forms of self-control.