Thursday, October 31, 2013

Study Guide: The Cloud of Unknowing, Chapter 12


In Chapter 12, “How contemplation destroys sin and nurtures virtues” (35-36),  Anonymous mentions “virtues” for the first time, and you should read Butcher’s note to understand his use of the word.  In medieval times, the Seven Deadly Sins were often presented as opposites to the Virtues .  

Over the centuries, however, the presentation of “virtues” moved in directions that did not always compare them with the “seven vices.”  As a consequence, the so-called seven virtues were divided into two classes: the cardinal virtues and the theological virtues, and often they were discussed with the fruits of the Holy Spirit as St. Paul describes them in Galatians 5. 

As good as all this is (and difficult to keep straight as to what goes where), perhaps the Boy Scout Oath is about as good as it gets (outside The Cloud of Unknowing) when it comes to describing a virtuous life:  "A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent."  And yet, as Anonymous will remind us, there’s more to it all than that. No self-help program comes close to his wisdom.

As Anonymous encourages us to think about vices and virtues, he admits that some practices are “good” and that “they help [us] grow in grace.”  (35-36).  What are such practices?

But as good as these habits, disciplines, and practices are, they are not equal to the one practice that truly helps us destroy sin and nurture the virtues.   What is that “work” that “trumps everything else” and how does he describe it?

Anonymous’ final paragraph in Chapter 12 is powerful, well worth reading over and over, many times, so that it sinks into our awareness of what’s important when we wish to cultivate a life characterized by everything that’s on the tree of virtues.  What two virtues—Anonymous will discuss them at length in the upcoming chapters-- are especially important to cultivate as a contemplative?

No comments:

Post a Comment