Righteousness
- JOHN HENRY CARDINAL NEWMAN
We must become what we are not.
Let us not then deceive ourselves; what God demands of us is to fulfill his law, or at least to aim at fulfilling it; to be content with nothing short of perfect obedience — to attempt everything — to avail ourselves of the aids given us, and throw ourselves, not first, but afterwards on God's mercy for our shortcomings. This is, I know, at first hearing a startling doctrine; and so averse are our hearts to it, that some people even attempt to maintain that it is an unchristian doctrine....
Let us then see where we stand, and what we must do. Heaven cannot change; God is without variableness or shadow of turning. His Word endures forever in heaven. His law is from everlasting to everlasting. We must change. We must go over to the side of heaven.
Never had a soul true happiness but in conformity to God, in obedience to his will. We must become what we are not; we must learn to love what we do not love, and practice ourselves in what is difficult. We must have the law of the Spirit of life written and set up in our hearts, that the righteousness of the low may be fulfilled in us, and that we may learn to please and to love God.
This is Meaghen Gonzalez, Editor of CERC. I hope you appreciated this piece. We curate these articles especially for believers like you.
Please show your appreciation by making a $3 donation. CERC is entirely reader supported.
Acknowledgement
Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman. "Righteousness." In Parochial and Plain Sermons (London & New York: Longman, Green, and Company, 1891).
Parochial and Plain Sermons is in the public Domain.
The Author
Blessed John Henry Newman was born on 21 February 1801, and died on 11 August 1890. Through his published writings and private correspondence he created a greater understanding of the Catholic Church and its teachings, helping many persons with their religious difficulties. At his death he was praised for his unworldliness, humility, and prayerful contact with the invisible world. Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman is the author of many books including, Parochial and Plain Sermons, Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine, An Essay in Aid of a Grammar of Assent, Difficulties of Anglicans, The Idea of a University, Fifteen Sermons Preached Before the University of Oxford Between A.D. 1826 and 1843, and Apologia Pro Vita Sua.
