One piece of esoteric theology that I read recently was excerpts from Ranulph Higden’s “The Mirror for Curates.” Ranulph was a Benedictine monk who lived in an English abbey from 1299 to 1364. He wrote this book as a guide for the parish priests (curates). In the 14th century many priests were poorly educated. They basically learned enough Latin to say mass. This was a problem that plagued the church well into Luther’s day when it was discovered some priests couldn’t even recite the Creed or Lord’s Prayer.

Ranulph tried to improve the situation by providing a book for instruction of priests. One of the topics he deals with is prayer. In a form familiar to those who have learned from a catechism, Ranulph poses questions which he then answers. I summarize his answer to the question “What should be prayed for?” this way: Pray first for eternal things (like the coming of the Kingdom of God). Second pray for temporal things like whatever you need for good health or to sustain life or to practice virtue. It’s the practice of virtue that caught my attention.

Virtues are the habits which develop good moral character. They are things like chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and humility. To pray that I might grow in virtue is to ask God to make me a better person. I have neglected that prayer.

I need to ask God to fix what needs fixing in me. If I grow in virtue, I benefit people around me. That’s worth praying for.

Read 2 Peter 1:5-8 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne