A Spiritual Exam for Ash Wednesday

As those in the Western Rite set about on Ash Wednesday, I thought I'd pass along a helpful diagnostic to guide our penitence. Fr. George Morelli, a member of the Western Rite Commission, has written a Lenten reflection. A trained psychologist, Fr. Morelli states that the two virtues of humility and purity of heart may be used as a spiritual version of the "Mental Status Exam."

What does purity of heart have to do with humility? Everything! Consider the words of St. Isaac of Syria quoted by Allchin (1989): "No one has understanding if he is not humble, and he who lacks humility lacks understanding."

Read it all here.