From the desk of the pastor for Nov. 24, 2024

The Lord be with you. “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t” is an old Irish expression with a great deal of insight. Most people think this aphorism applies mostly to problems outside of ourselves. When we learn how to master “the devil you know” that exists inside of us, we will find growing in virtue much easier.

Each of us has a chief virtue that defines how we live. This primary virtue can be so much a part of ourselves that we forget that it is a distinct aspect. For some people this habit is a disposition to analyze and compare. For others it is the ability to empathize and relate emotionally. Whatever habit defines our personality is our primary virtue.

Every primary virtue, however, comes with a principal vice or fault. Sometimes the principal vice is a direct consequence of the primary virtue whereas in other people the principal vice is indirectly caused by the chief virtue. Take President Elect Donald Trump as an example: he is large souled. In this sense he shows almost no fear because he feels “larger than life.” This same trait makes him loud and bellicose - he is “dialed to eleven” as the phrase goes. Our greatest strengths will often be the root of our biggest weaknesses.

Since our principal vice comes from our chief virtue, it is really difficult to change. First, the principal vice relies on our greatest strength. Second, using our primary virtue against our principal vice usually does not work. A man who is a genius will often be stymied by his inability to relate emotionally because his reason is not his emotions.

Accordingly, we return to the “devil we know” as the set of bad habits that resist our efforts the most. What do we do to get rid of these vices? If the answer was obvious, we would have come up with it already. Instead, we have to note what has worked and not worked in our struggles - the whole knowing the devil bit. If we go to Confession regularly, we will have a very clear idea of what strategies have helped and not helped.

Although God does not always leave such bad habits to humble us, He will from time to time do exactly that. If we have tried improving ourselves in a certain way and never made progress, we should seek God’s assistance explicitly. Moreover, we should pray and do penance to aid in our growth indirectly by cultivating a deeper life of prayer.

“Know thyself” was written above the Oracle of Delphi to highlight that wisdom is about living a good life. God desires us to grow in love by abandoning sin. May we learn from our mistakes that we can change with God’s help even when that change seems impossible. After all, nothing is impossible with God.

In His Sacred Heart,
Fr. John