Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,
Whatever things are noble,
Whatever things are just,
Whatever things are pure,
Whatever things are lovely,
Whatever things are of good report,
If there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—
Meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8

I could write an entire week of reflections on this verse alone! It makes mention of virtues that are fast disappearing in our world today. As we reflect on this verse today, think of the meaning of these words, what St. Paul is referring to and how the world has turned these words around.

Truth—Jesus tells us in the Bible “The truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32) We live in a world where dishonesty is almost expected, and sadly, in some professions, required. The truth is the highest authority—without truth, none of the virtues that follow are possible. There is no nobility, or justice, or purity, nothing can be lovely, or of good report if it is based in a lie. The ultimate source of truth is the Lord.

And the truth of the Lord does not change with this crisis! The truth of His Resurrection, His love, and our salvation doesn’t change at all.

Nobility—we are obsessed with control. Yet, there is no nobility in doing something when you know exactly what the outcome will be. That’s why it’s a noble thing for a firefighter to rush into a burning building to save someone, or a patient to wage a battle with cancer, or a person to listen to someone who needs comfort, because in any of these situations, a person does not know the outcome, but takes a chance anyway.

It is very hard for many of us, myself included, to experience the loss of control that is a by-product of the covid-19 crisis we are all in. We are no longer free to gather in large groups. Where the stores were once stocked with more than we could ever want, we find ourselves rejoicing when we get our hands on basic necessities like toilet paper. No one knows how this whole thing plays out with universal health, or the economy. This is a time when faith is tested. Will we be “noble” in staying faithful, even though we do not know the outcome? It is easy to be faithful when everything is going well. It is easy to be positive when everything is going well. This crisis, if we are looking for something positive, is an opportunity to practice nobility, staying faithful despite not knowing the outcome.

Just—Just is what is fair, not only in the eyes of society, but especially in the eyes of God. Just means doing the right thing, even if it is not popular. This week, we can also equate just to only buying what you need and not hoarding from others who are in need. This crisis provides us an opportunity to focus on what is needed.

Purity—A pure white sheet is a piece of cloth without any stain, wrinkle or blemish. We were each wrapped in one of these after our baptisms. Purity is under constant attack—it is hard to keep a body pure, to not engage in overindulging in food or alcohol, or for those yet to be married, to stay pure in body and wait for marriage. It is hard to stay pure in mind when we receive messages of violence in movies and distrust of contemporary leaders. It is hard to stay pure in spirit when the faith is constantly under attack. Yet, to fight the battle for purity is not only noble, but it is rewarding.

Lovely—There is beauty in each person because each person is created in God’s image and likeness. It is so sad when I hear someone call another person “ugly,” because it is so untrue. There are no ugly people. There are people who do ugly things, but every person is innately beautiful because God made them that way.

Good report—It’s hard to watch the news most days even before this crisis because the reports are anything but good. In fact, a good friend of mine says to me, during the occasional “woe is me” conversation that all of us have with our friends, “tell me something good.” Today in your friendships, and in your marriages (for those who are married) focus on saying something good to your friends, or your spouse. Even if you can’t muster anything good to say about them in particular, say something good to them. See the good in things, even in this crisis we are in. There are some good things that are coming from it, whether it is our children learning to be more independent while learning at home, for us to be more frugal at the store, or for us being more sensitive to our neighbors. There is good at work here. We need more good reports in the world.

Truth, nobility, justice, purity, loveliness, and good reports, these are virtuous things upon which we should meditate.

One last thing today—another mantra I use to live my life is “If it’s not good, it’s not from God.” Only good things come from God, so if it is not a good thing, it isn’t from Him. Truth, nobility, justice, purity, loveliness, good reports—these are good things that come from God. Dishonesty, distrust, injustice, ugly behavior, bad news—these are not things of God. The coronavirus did not come from God. It is the result of a fallen world where illness abounds everywhere, sometimes more serious than at other times.

So meditate on the things of God today, and make an effort to work at ONE of these virtues—truth, nobility, justice, purity, loveliness or a good report—work at ONE of these today. Then pick a different one tomorrow until you’ve had one day with each of them. Then try two on a day, and so on, until all six become part of your daily life.

Heavenly Father, thank You for all the blessings in my life, for those things I can see, and even the blessings I cannot see. Help me to be a person of virtue today and always. Help me to be truthful, and surround me with people who will encourage truth. Give me strength to do what is noble, and to trust in You, even when I don’t know the outcome. Help me to be pure in mind, body and spirit today, to control my thoughts and my actions. Help me to seek justice by doing what is fair and by helping out the person who has been treated unfairly. Help me to see the beauty in all people. And help me be someone who shares good news today, one who is grateful for the good and perfect gifts that are coming from You. Amen.

Prayer of Protection from the Coronavirus
(Prayer by Grace Bishop Alexis (Trader) of Bethesda)
O God Almighty, Lord of heaven and earth, and of all creation visible and invisible, in Your ineffable goodness, look down upon Your people gathered in Your name. Be our helper and defender in this day of affliction. You know our weakness. You hear our cry in repentance and contrition of heart. O Lord who loves mankind deliver us from the impending threat of the corona virus. Send Your Angel to watch over us and protect us. Grant health and recovery to those suffering from this virus. Guide the hands of physicians, and preserve those who are healthy that we may continue to serve You in peace and glorify Your most honorable and majestic Name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Have a great day today!