alleluia.nyc - Monthly Habit Forming

Growing in Virtue

In order to achieve consistency and stability in our lives, we need to develop a system where we can readily discern and freely seek that which is good. Simply put, healthy habits will lead us toward virtue, while bad habits will corrupt us through vice. Our habits are formed by the behaviors and routines we practice. This regular repetition produces tendencies, which over time dispose us to respond promptly, easily, and joyfully to our circumstances.

The purpose of our monthly topics is to direct our daily focus upon one aspect of life that can guide us toward the development of a positive habit. Make an effort to reflect upon the subject a little bit each day. Consider tangible and constructive ways you can improve in this area. In the spirit of the monthly theme, make a daily choice to seek out the greater good as it pertains to your situation. While we are growing in virtue, the right choice might not be the easy choice. But through the grace of God, these choices will eventually become healthy habits–or virtues.

July 2025

Becoming a Good Steward of Treasure

An anonymous author observes: “Money will buy a bed but not sleep, books but not brains, food but not an appetite, finery but not beauty, a house but not a home, medicine but not health, luxuries but not culture, amusement but not happiness, and a crucifix but not a Savior.” Our greatest treasure is found not in our material wealth, but in the richness of our faith in God. While our financial treasure should be used to support our spiritual treasure, the contribution we offer to God is a small token compared with the great blessings He bestows upon us.

Faith | Giving | Stewardship | Treasure 0

“Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).