One who trusts others too quickly is lightminded, and one who sins does wrong to himself. One who rejoices in wickedness will be condemned, and for one who hates gossip evil is lessened. Never repeat a conversation, and you will lose nothing at all. With friend or foe do not report it, and unless it would be a sin for you, do not disclose it; for some one has heard you and watched you, and when the time comes he will hate you.—Sir 19:4-9. Let's consider a few lines passage from the Sirach 19 (a book found on in the Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, not Protestant ones) and see what [...]

Many good Catholics today are striving for an increase in purity by both prayer and mortification.  This is extremely commendable.  But did you know the virtue of purity is directly connected to supernatural hope?  And the virtue of supernatural hope is directly connected to gratitude?  I found this while studying Scripture: Gratitude increases hope: The hope of an ungrateful man will melt like wintry frost and flow away like waste water.—Wis 16:29. ... and hope increases purity: And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies Himself as He is pure.—1 John 3:3. Therefore, real gratitude increases both supernatural hope and purity.  Purity of heart is not only something in regards [...]