Choose a topic from Part 2B:
1. Observance, as allied to piety, is asubordinate yet a distinct virtue. By observance,one gives honor and respect to those who are in positions ofdignity. Piety reveres excellence to which gratitude isowed. Observance reveres excellence in itself.
2. Those who occupy positions of dignity have excellenceof office. And they should have excellence in exercisingthe powers of that office. On both scores, they deserve respect andhonor. This respect and honor is shown them by the virtue ofobservance.
3. Piety is a greater virtue than observance is. For pietyreverences those who are in some way akin to us (by creation,blood, or favors conferred), and with these we have stronger bondsthan with others whom we are to revere by way of observance.
"Obedience is the true holocaust which we sacrifice to God on the altar of our hearts."
St Philip Neri
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"Spiritual persons ought to be equally ready to experience sweetness and consolation in the things of God, or to suffer and keep their ground in drynesses of spirit and devotion, and for as long as God pleases, without their making any complaint about it."
St Philip Neri
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"O Lord, my God, who will seek you with simple and pure love, and not find that you are all one can desire, for you show yourself first and go out to meet those who seek you?
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St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church
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