Counter Point: The Chief Virtue of Lent

Apr 1, 2026 | By Sydney Scheller BR ‘26

I would like to offer an alternative chief virtue for Lent: attentiveness.

Our word for ‘virtue’ does indeed come from the Latin word ‘vir’, which evolved into ‘virtus.’ This ancestor for our word ‘virtue’ is used in two different ways in the Latin Vulgate Bible: one describes power, normally the power of God specifically. This option is the Latin translation of the Greek ‘δύναμις’ (dynamis), which corresponds to the previous piece’s reading of ‘virtus’ (Cor 12:9, Luke 1:35, Luke 5:17, Luke 6:19). However, there is another use of ‘virtus’ in the Latin Vulgate bible, one that more closely aligns with what we mean now when we refer to virtue. In Greek, this word is ἀρετή, arete, which refers to action-oriented excellence and fulfilling the purpose of man (Philippians 4, Peter 1, and Peter 2).

I take great pains to describe what may appear to be a tedious etymology because our conception of the word ‘virtue’ only encompasses one (and a minor one at that) of the many definitions ‘virtus’ and ‘vir’ had. This meaning of the word virtue, is distinct from the definition found in the previous piece in one subtle way: rather than virtue being something we aspire to, virtue comes from the daily actions we take to fulfill human potential. 

To illustrate this, I’d like to focus on the uses of ἀρετή (arete) in Philippians 4:

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Phl 4:4-9 KJV

I cite almost the whole chapter so as not to degrade the context. All of the virtues listed (moderation, peacefulness, and thankfulness), if there be any of these other virtues, it is necessary first to do one other action: ‘think on these things.’ The word translated as ‘think’ is λογίζεσθε, which is most often translated as dwell. All other virtues arise from the action of dwelling on things that are honest, true, just, lovely, and of good report. The virtue that is the basis for all other virtues is attentiveness. 

Lent is constructed to grow the amount of time spent dwelling on God. Whatever one gives up for Lent, the purpose of that sacrifice is to direct attention to God that would otherwise be spent on the thing given up. In this way, we enter into the sacrifice of Christ. This practice is so poignant because it brings the action of dwelling on and in God into daily life – into areas and times when attention was barren of God. At all points, in all actions, our attention should be replete with God.

Orienting attention towards God does not detract attention from the moments at hand. It need not be a choice between being present and focusing on God. In fact, it fertilizes them with the abundance of God and rebirths mundane and secular moments so that “Wherever you turn your eyes the world can shine like transfiguration.” [1] 

The previous piece argued that obedience is the external virtue of openness that leads to humility, the inward virtue of acceptance. I argue that attentiveness is the internal virtue that causes a transfiguration of the heart and enables a cheerful obedience - one that does not view divine law as a petulant child does their teacher, but sees the magnificence of the Lord in the world and eagerly pursues obedience in the hope that their life may be fully conformed with His perfect will - the true fullfillment of human potential. 

[1] Robinson, Marilynne. Gilead. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2004.