Virtue: Diligence

Resolution: I choose to work as unto the Lord in all areas of my life.

Human Story: Hermann von Reichenau (1013-1054)

Hermann is most notably known as a German chronicler, composer, poet, astronomer, and mathematician, but he was also a Benedictine monk. He had an intense interest in both theology and the physical world. He was literate in several languages beyond his native German. Hermann expanded the body of knowledge in the fields of history, mathematics, astronomy and Christianity. His historical writing included a detailed chronicle from the birth of Christ to the 11th century, and the writing was carried on by his pupil, Berthold, and others after Hermann’s death. Some believe Hermann to be the inventor of the astrolabe which is a tool used in astronomy to triangulate in order to determine the local latitude or time or to identify stars and planets.

This is an amazing list of accomplishments for anyone who died at the age of 41, but Hermann wasn’t just anyone. Hermann had a disease from early childhood which basically left him paralyzed. He had much difficulty both moving and speaking, which is why he is often called Herman the Cripple. In his later years as he went blind, Hermann focused on prayer and writing hymns. Though there is some debate as to his musical works, the hymn in the Remembrance section below is traditionally attributed to him.

Hermann’s brilliant mind and love for God motivated him to be persistent in his studies and creativity. He had to overcome a lot of physical obstacles in order to write and invent and create. Thanks to Hermann’s diligence, the intellectual world as well as the Christian community have been blessed by the influence of Blessed Herman the Cripple.

References: https://reginamag.com/blessed-herman-the-cripple-confessor/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermann_of_Reichenau

Lesson

Proverbs 13:4 (NKJV)
The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

Ecclesiastes 9:9b-10a (MSG)
Each day is God’s gift. It’s all you get in exchange for the hard work of staying alive. Make the most of each one! Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily!

It is so easy for us as humans to think that because of our circumstances or how we feel today, we have an excuse to not press into the mundane or hard things of life. If you are a student, do you take your studies as the gift they are? Are you making the most of this time in your life? Maybe you have a strong-willed child you have let go on his own path because you don’t want to be “too hard” on him or have him think you don’t love him. Or you might have a friend who is making bad choices concerning her marriage, but you don’t want to confront her for fear of losing her friendship. Perhaps you are afraid to stand up against sexism or racism in your workplace because you fear being fired. The pleasures of this world might be clouding your judgement or drawing you away from your devotion to Christ. Or maybe you have a physical condition, like Hermann, which makes doing just about anything difficult.

Whatever your hard situation is, be diligent about it. Press into the difficult. Don’t just let life carry you into its sea of complacency. Even if the situation doesn’t turn out as you expected, you will be able to say, without regrets, that you have given it your best effort.

Remembrance: Veni Sancte Spiritus

Literal English Translation

Come, Holy Spirit,
send forth the heavenly
radiance of your light.

Come, father of the poor,
come, giver of gifts,
come, light of the heart.

Greatest comforter,
sweet guest of the soul,
sweet consolation.

In labour, rest,
in heat, temperance,
in tears, solace.

O most blessed light,
fill the inmost heart
of your faithful.

Without your spirit,
there is nothing in man,
nothing that is not harmful.

Cleanse that which is unclean,
water that which is dry,
heal that which is wounded.

Bend that which is inflexible,
fire that which is chilled,
correct what goes astray.

Give to your faithful,
those who trust in you,
the sevenfold gifts.

Grant the reward of virtue,
grant the deliverance of salvation,
grant eternal joy.

Original Latin text

Veni, Sancte Spiritus,
et emitte caelitus
lucis tuae radium.

Veni, pater pauperum,
veni, dator munerum,
veni, lumen cordium.

Consolator optime,
dulcis hospes animae,
dulce refrigerium.

In labore requies,
in aestu temperies,
in fletu solatium.

O lux beatissima,
reple cordis intima
tuorum fidelium.

Sine tuo numine,
nihil est in homine,
nihil est innoxium.

Lava quod est sordidum,
riga quod est aridum,
sana quod est saucium.

Flecte quod est rigidum,
fove quod est frigidum,
rege quod est devium.

Da tuis fidelibus,
in te confidentibus,
sacrum septenarium.

Da virtutis meritum,
da salutis exitum,
da perenne gaudium.

Challenge

Pulling yourself up by your boot straps is often seen as diligence, but that attitude is steeped in pride that says, “I can do this myself.” The virtue of diligence, however, acknowledges that our perseverance in deliberate acts and repeated efforts are undergirded by the strength and grace of God. What are you trying to do in your own strength? How can you change that situation to be “as unto the Lord?”

Reflection

True diligence runs contrary to human nature.         - Steven K. Scott

Further Growth: 4th Sunday of Epiphany

2021
Old Testament: Deuteronomy 18:15-22
Psalm: Psalm 111
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

2020
Old Testament: Micah 6:1-8
Psalm: Psalm 37:1-11
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12