Overview:

The Memorial of St. Justin, Martyr

A Reflection for the Memorial of St. Justin, Martyr

“Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,
virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control,
self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion,
devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love.” (2 Peter 1:5-7)

Find today’s readings here.

When I read today’s first reading from the second letter of Peter, I think about my Jesuit education.

I loved my four years at Boston College—perhaps a bit too much. As graduation drew near, I was working to accept what I assumed was an undeniable truth: It was all downhill from there. I had been so happy, so fulfilled in college that I was steeling myself for a difficult, even painful postgrad experience. 

Six years later, I now understand that my Boston College education and the way it opened up my world were my foundation as I stepped forward—and had a much better transition into the “real world” than I thought I might. In my classes, on retreats and perhaps most importantly with my friends, I learned how to love God and love life. I was putting in the hours that ensured love didn’t come to a close when I moved away and got a job. I kept the people—and the practice—with me.

Praying with today’s first reading, I’m reminded that a loving, fulfilling life is the result of the practice (and balance) of many virtues. As the letter says, we “supplement” our faith and build blocks upon its foundation. Peter calls those blocks virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance, devotion, mutual affection and ultimately, love. These many goods support and fortify one another to result in a life where faith and love are central—and bear many fruits.

At America, I work with several other BC alums and other Jesuit grads, as well as colleagues who have received a Jesuit education here on the job. In them, I see this web of virtues mentioned in second Peter. At this time of year, I’m extra aware of it as we prepare to welcome our young summer interns and send off our postgraduate O’Hare Fellows. In their lives and learnings prior to their time in our office, they too have been putting in these virtue hours, taking a foundation of faith and God’s gifts and doing the hard work of deepening. What a privilege that we are part of that process alongside them.

Molly Cahill is an associate editor at America. She was a 2020-2021 O'Hare Fellow.