Starting the Year Right: Playing the Game of Virtues

I arrive at Our Blessed Mother's house to find her with broom in hand. It's housekeeping time. She lets me in the door and we sit to talk for a moment.

I tell her about my Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Her Immaculate Heart. She seems pleased. Then, I confess my reason for my visit.

"When St. Luis tells me that I must learn to do everything in and through you and only that way, my heart resists. I worry there will be no fun in this at all. Even though I know that's a deception of the enemy, it still troubles me."

She smiles and laughs. "Let the world play their game of thrones, and we shall play our game of virtues. One game leads to death, the other to eternal life. Which game is better, do you think?" she asks me.

"The game of virtues," I tell her.

She claps her hands. "Wise you are! So right. The world will be a better place for your willingness to play this game with me. But don’t think I’m going to go easy on you just because you’re a novice. You won’t learn anything like that."

"That makes sense," I say. "I wouldn’t want an easy win anyway. There's no merit in it."

She rises and hands me the broom, "Let's begin. I will show you how to play. You must spend each moment of each day looking for a way to show someone else you love them. This isn’t easy. You’ll be tempted to give into your own selfish desires."

My eyes widen. "I must reserve no time for myself?"

She shakes her head as I begin to sweep the floors. "No, you misunderstand. What you said there is the lie the enemy wants you to believe. By spending each moment of each day showing someone else you love them, you’re going to be gaining everything in life you truly need to live."

She pauses to be sure she has my attention. "The other things – the things that distract you from goodness – those are the illusions. They’re the devil trying to tempt you away from our game of virtues. If you let him distract you, you lose precious time. You fail to gain the merits you could be gaining by playing our game of virtues."

I sigh in discouragement, "This seems a hard game to play."

She gives me an encouraging smile. "It will get easier as you grow in the habit of playing and in your love. You will soon find that the empty distractions of the devil entertain you less and less, while your heart grows in eagerness for the true food of virtue."

That does give me a bit of hope, but I still have questions. "How am I to win?"

She looks at me. "Focus. You must be on your guard at all times. Defend yourself from distractions by keeping yourself in prayer. Ask me for help, for I’m not afraid to help you."

I smile. "Aren’t you afraid I’ll win?"

She laughs, "Not at all. By helping you, I gain in virtue – and that means I’ve already won the game by helping you to win it."

Now I find myself a bit confused by this logic. "But if growing in virtue is the end, how can we both win?"

She takes a moment to explain. "That’s the beauty of this game. We’re competing for who can show the most love to others, but that means everyone wins if we win. The more we do for one another, the more we do to show love to others, the more love there is in this world."

She winks. "You and I can do things those on thrones cannot do. We can move, unseen, among the people, touching hearts as we go. We can slay mighty dragons of discouragement, depression, despair, anxiety, and all manner of things that cause humanity to fall without ever hefting a sword. We can bring peace to all around us with our game."

She holds my gaze. "Are you willing to play it?"

I don't hesitate. "I am, Mother."

She smiles. "You get a single point for each minute that you stay focused on loving the people around you. Grumbling or complaining about your service, especially if it goes unappreciated, invalidates any points you received. You must serve cheerfully with no expectation of being served in return, for that’s what leads to the true path of love."

A bit of selfishness attempts to stop me. "How can I be sure my own needs will be met if every moment is devoted to the needs of others?"

She returns her attention to cleaning the counter. "You must trust in love to be its own reward. You must learn to depend on its providence. Remember that God is love. He promises that whatever we bless others with today will bless us in the day of our own need. We need only to trust in Him."

And so we begin the ultimate game. The game of virtues. Will you join me?