In Regnum Christi, we each draw up a Program of Life, which is kind of like our plan for growing in Christ, overcoming our faults, and strengthening our virtues.
I just created mine a few weeks ago and brought it to my spiritual director, a Legionary priest, to discuss it. In the Program of Life, you list what your “root sin” is: Pride, Vanity, or Sensuality. These correspond to St. John’s list in one of his letters of the common faults in all men. All people have these faults to some degree, but usually one is most prominent.
The totally awesome thing was that as Fr. Paul and I talked about my Program of Life and specifically what I thought was my root sin, he discovered by asking me good questions that my root sin was actually a different one! I was surprised because I like to think I “know myself” pretty well. So much for that notion!
Regnum Christi calls us to examine our life each morning with regard to our Program of Life, which includes the identification and practice of an opposite virtue to the root sin. In this way, we are on guard against the situations in which we most commonly fall to temptation (maybe it is being charitable to a harsh coworker or a trying family member, etc.).
In business, we formulate elaborate, detailed plans for how we will succeed in creating a product, marketing it, and selling it; in personal life, we set goals and work towards them, whether it be losing weight, running a marathon, or landscaping the yard, but in our spiritual life, we often just “wing it”, going along as best we can, sometimes forward, sometimes back, sometimes sideways.
Doesn’t it make sense to formulate a sound plan for attacking the faults that hurt ourselves, others, and our Lord and for growing in holiness, something that will affect our life both here and in eternity?
May Christ’s Kingdom come!
“we often just “wing itâ€, going along as best we can, sometimes forward, sometimes back, sometimes sideways.”
So true, Devin! Thanks for the example you have set – I hope to try making a plan for myself soon.
Frances
You have a very good point there – why shouldn’t we try and formulate some sort of plan for improving our spiritual lives as well?
As an aside, I’m not sure I entirely understand the difference between vanity and pride. They both seem to involve thinking more of one’s self than is appropriate – is it that they tend to lead to different sort of actions? I tried looking it up a bit, I haven’t found anything that helps particularly.
Hi Amber,
Here is the guide I used that explains the differences between these two sins:
PRIDE:
Self-importance: too high an opinion of myself; annoyance with those who contradict me; easily judgmental, putting others down, gossiping about them; slow to recognize my own mistakes, or to see when I hurt others, and inability to seek and give forgiveness; insincerity in order to hide my own faults; hypocrisy; rage when others don’t thank me for favors; unwillingness to serve; impatience, distance, brusqueness in my daily contact with others; thinking I am the only one who knows how to do things right, unwillingness to let others help; inflated idea of my own intelligence and understanding, dismissing what I do not understand or see differently; not feeling a need for God, even though I do say prayers.
Self-love: brooking no contradictions; anger if I don’t get my way or am not taken into account; nursing grudges, even in small matters; rebellion against what I don’t like; never taking orders; inflexible in preferences. Putting myself and my things first; indifference towards others and their needs; never putting myself out for them; centering everything (conversation, choices..) on myself and my likes. Calculating in my relations with God and with others.
VANITY:
Seeking admiration: thinking I am best, know most, always right. Excessive concern about physical appearance. Human respect, being guided by the opinions of others rather than principle, some types of shyness; sacrificing principles in order to fit in; placing too much a premium on popularity and acceptance. Easily discouraged at my failures. Always wanting to be the center of attention, at times stretching the truth, or lying outright, or being uncharitable in my words in order to achieve this.
SENSUALITY
Laziness: always the most comfortable, what requires least effort. Not going the extra mile for others; last-minute in everything; shoddiness; complaining; excessively affected by minor discomforts; inability to sacrifice. Not doing my part at home. Expecting everyone else to serve me always.
The rule of feelings: daydreaming, with self at center; unable to control my thoughts when they attract me, even if they are not good. Doing only what I please (food, work, etc). Uncontrolled and overpowering curiosity, wanting to see and experience everything and every pleasure. My senses rule over what I know is right and wrong. Acting out my feelings (frustrations, desires..), with no regard for my conscience, God or others. Only working with those I like, being easily hurt, fickleness.
I hope that helps you! Remember that we all have these sins to some degree, but usually one is most prominent.
The Program of Life is one of the many things I love about Regnum Christi. Thanks for the reminder that I need to update mine!!!
Oh, very interesting, thanks for posting those descriptions. I’m going to have to print that out and give it some further thought.
Thank goodness Devin’s finally figured out his root temptation. It will make my life a whole lot easier.