View source for Atlantic:Bartholomew's Sermons of Virtue

==The Springs of Virtue==

Virtue springs deep within our essence
Welling up into a flowing stream
Coursing forth through actions hence
Reflected in our intentions seen

Virtue springs from within our hearts
Spinning forth its spreading reach
Flowing out to distant parts
Touching those who’re within its breach

Virtue springs when given chance
Leaping forth to start to race
Spinning swirling as if to dance
Giving warmth with its blind embrace

Virtue springs so eternally new
Spouting from source both old and young
Given fresh hope from all or few
So let us sing of Virtue’s song

==Prevail Through Our Virtue==

Leader: When discord and evil is upon our gates.
Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When chaos and mayhem is threatening ruin
Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When temptation drags us from Virtue’s path
Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When all seem lost and we take one last stand
Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When our struggle becomes a tortured ordeal
Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When we are lost and feel totally abandoned
Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When we come together to attempt the impossible
Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When our differences tear at all we have done
Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When the tempest of trouble inflicts our lands
Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When all is spinning and our direction unsure
Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When those who hate Virtue seem poised to destroy
Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When all is calm and no trouble abounds
Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

==Joy of Living the Virtues==

May the Virtues be our victory in life
Showing us the path lighted by the Virtues
Giving us to perform acts balanced in the Virtues
Allowing us the joy of living the Virtues

May the Virtues be our answer in life
Showing us the truth within the Virtues
Giving us an order constructed from the Virtues
Allowing us the joy of living the Virtues

May the Virtues be our guidance in life
Showing us the way to be of the Virtues
Giving us a way filled with all the Virtues
Allowing us the joy of living the Virtues

May the Virtues be our purpose in life
Showing us acts of greatness in the Virtues
Giving us the rewards of living with the Virtues
Allowing us the joy of living the Virtues

May the Virtues be our strength in life
Showing us the vitality gained through the Virtues
Giving us the grandeur from balancing the Virtues
Allowing us the joy of living the Virtues

May the Virtues be our proudest possession in life
Showing us the riches of a soul through the Virtues
Giving us the warm safety provided by the Virtues
Allowing us the joy of living the Virtues

==The Sources of All==

Leader: When you seek guidance for your life, where do you look?
Cong: In the Principles and Virtues
Leader: When we seek guidance for our society, where do we look?
Cong: In the Principles and Virtues
Leader: When doubt seems to overwhelm us, where do we seek the answers?
Cong: In the Principles and Virtues
Leader: When the darkness of the void engulfs us, where do we turn?
Cong: In the Principles and Virtues
Leader: When times of trouble befall us, what do we seek?
Cong: In the Principles and Virtues
Leader: To find a true and worthy direction, where do we focus?
Cong: In the Principles and Virtues
Leader: When our lives limp wounded, where do we find our crutch?
Cong: In the Principles and Virtues
Leader: When everything turns away and leaves, where do we gain our root?
Cong: In the Principles and Virtues
Leader: When life is full and all is good, where do we place our thanks?
Cong: In the Principles and Virtues
Leader: When society is rich and shines with unity and joy, where do we find the reason?
Cong: In the Principles and Virtues

==Prayer of Principled Virtues==

Love blooms in the Virtue of Compassion
Truth blooms in the Virtue of Honesty
Courage blooms in the Virtue of Valor
Pure of Principles and pure in Virtue

Love with Truth bloom in the Virtue of Justice
Truth with Courage bloom in the Virtue of Honor
Courage with Love bloom in the Virtue of Sacrifice
Paired of Principles but pure in Virtue

Love with Truth with Courage, the Principles three
When joined together in total yield Spirituality
When shunned together in void yield Humility
The all or nothing of Principles but pure in Virtue

Our lives based on Virtues granted through Principles
Our lives rooted in Principles granting the Virtues
Our society based on Virtues granted through Principles
Our society rooted in Principles granting the Virtues

==Prayer Defining Virtue==

The path of Virtue is neither crooked nor straight
It swerves and jumps and dives and turns
Adapting to the range of perplexities thrown out by life
But for those upon the path, it rolls smooth before them

The light of Virtue burns neither bright nor dim
It flashes and brightens and dims and flickers
Adapting to the depth of darkness it must overcome
But for those whose light it baths, it glows with constant warmth

The feeling of Virtue is neither rough nor smooth
It scrapes and soothes and bruises and scratches
Adapting to the level of resistance it must overpower
But for those who feel the caress, it wraps with soft silkiness

The life of Virtue is neither tranquil nor turbulent
It shakes and trembles and glides and pauses
Adapting to the intense complexities it will encounter
But for those who live such a life, it rewards with steady calm

==Prayer of Devotion to the Virtues==

Linked by our devotion to the Virtues
We live our lives walking similar paths
That intertwine in the single path
The lighted path of Virtue

Linked by our devotion to the Virtues
We choose our actions by their guide
Giving a harmony of Virtuous acts
Leading to a Balance of the Virtues

Linked by our devotion to the Virtues
We seek others who will walk with us
Along the path of warming light
The warming light of the Virtues

Linked by our devotion to the Virtues
We wish to share the inner peace
An inner peace derived from Virtue
A Virtuous and warming tranquility

Linked by our devotion to the Virtues
We find for life a depth of meaning
A Virtuous meaning that gives us strength
The strength we need to follow Virtue

Linked by our devotion to the Virtues
We immerse ourselves in Virtue’s Light
Allowing us to be People of Light
And become the Lightbringers of Virtue

==Prayer from the Inner Core ==

Deep within there is a place
A place that defines who we are
That central place that gives us strength
The strength that guides our feet to step
Our feet to step upon our path
The path that’s chosen by our source
That source that comes from that place

For some that place holds a void
A void that takes from who they are
And has them take from those they know
With every touch it takes some more
Spreading out to increase the void
Including more within its grasp
Voiding all that’s in that place

For some that place is simply numb
Simply numb and caring not
No care nor hope nor vision true
Lifeless, silent through and through
Unaffected by daily trials
Treading onward in a stupor
Feeling nothing from that place

For some that place is full of chaos
Chaotic swirling without a meaning
Giving to treading random paths
Paths leading them nowhere fast
Leaving behind a broken trail
With broken lives and broken promises
Swirling randomly from that place

For some that place is lined in order
Ordered forth in straightened lines
Going straight while never swerving
Never varied to either side
Treading on despite all else
Ignoring every choice that’s given
Ordered straight from within that place

For some that place is filled of Virtue
Virtue that wisely guides their steps
Moving forward upon their path
A path that knows when to swerve
To swerve and find all that’s true
And guide us with a blinding light
Radiating Virtue from that place

==Spirituality Prayer==

Spirituality is the wellspring that resides in our souls
Deep in our under mind is the home for our spirituality
Lying there hidden from our daily turmoil, it waits
It waits to be the source of all the other Virtues

When Spirituality reaches out and strokes our thinking
It will activate our searches into what we know as Honesty
Shining a light that removes the shadows of the lies
Then continues until the lies themselves crumble in its light

When Spirituality reaches out and tightens our muscles
It will activate our strength into what we know as Valor
Taught with power to defeat any trembling of cowardice
Then continues until the cowardice falters before its strength

When Spirituality reaches out and caresses our heart
It will activate the affections we know as Compassion
Glowing warm it chases away the chilling of hate
Then continues until the hate retreats before its warmth

When Spirituality reaches out and grips our gut
It will activate our giving that we know as Sacrifice
Churning with bile it dissolves our greed
Then continues until the greed transforms to giving

When Spirituality reaches out and focuses our eyes
It will activate our fairness we know as Justice
Focusing with sharp clarity it isolates all wrongs
Then continues until the wrongs are completely dissolved

When Spirituality reaches out and courses with our blood
It will activate a shining glow that we know as Honor
Surging and pulsating that drives away the shame
Then continues until the shame is washed away

When Spirituality reaches out and fills our void
It will activate our modesty we know as Humility
Welling up to leave little room for pride
Then continues until the pride is pushed aside

Spirituality reaches out to all the Virtues
Touching each within our life
Setting forth our feet to tread
Carefully on the narrow path

==Prayer That Comes From Virtue==

Leader: May our leaders be known by their Honesty. May they govern with insight
Cong: That comes from Virtue.
Leader: May our protectors be known by their Valor. May they be filled with strength
Cong: That comes from Virtue.
Leader: May our adjudicators be known by their Justice. May they find perception
Cong: That comes from Virtue.
Leader: May our holy men be known by their Spirituality. May they have purity
Cong: That comes from Virtue.
Leader: May our friends be known by their Compassion. May they be filled with warmth 
Cong: That comes from Virtue.
Leader: May our royalty be known by their Humility. May they reign with selflessness
Cong: That comes from Virtue.
Leader: May our city guards be known by their Honor. May they give us respect
Cong: That comes from Virtue.
Leader: May those of ultimate power be known by their Sacrifice. May they know generosity
Cong: That comes from Virtue.
Leader: May we all be known by our Virtuous deeds. May we find order
Cong: That comes from Virtue.

==Prayer of Essence==

May our lives be warmed with Compassion.
Derived from the Principle Love.
Warmed by its spiritual essence.
As we are by the sun above.

May our lives be surrounded by Honesty.
Flowing from the Principle of Truth.
Surrounded within a glorious meaning.
Not like those who are found uncouth.

May our lives be nourished on Valor
Emerging from the Principle of Courage.
Nourishing our souls upon firm strength.
As a child that is raised on porridge.

May our lives be blessed through Spirituality.
The source Principles being all three.
Blessed by its ebb and flow.
As we see in the tides of the sea.

May our lives be cleansed through Humility.
Spawned by the Principles in absence.
Cleansed of all corrupt impurities.
Leaving one washed in a singular essence.

May our lives be protected in Sacrifice.
The bequeathing Principles of Courage and Love.
Protected by saving while we are giving.
While placing all others above.

May our lives shine bright with Honor.
Driving Principles of Truth and Courage.
Shining bright reason against all odds.
Defeating every shameful chaotic barrage. 

May our lives be bestowed with Justice.
The basing Principles of Truth and Love.
Bestowed within strict and narrow guides.
Made to fit like a hand and glove.

May our lives be enriched by the Virtues.
The Principles being their source.
Enriched and nurtured in every way.
Guiding our lives upon their course.

==Prayer for Daily Toils==

We try to attain Virtue in all that we do.
Yet sometimes our daily acts seem far removed.
Where is the Compassion in mining?
Where is the Valor in weaving cloth?
Where is the Justice in fishing?
Where is the Spirituality in stocking vendors?
Where are the Virtues in our daily chores?
They are hidden deep within.
There is the Honesty of noble effort.
There is the Sacrifice of continuing through boredom.
There is the Justice of a job well done.
There is the Humility in persisting repetition.
There is the Spirituality in the embodiment of toil.
There is the Valor completing the task.
And there is the Honor in performing respectfully.
The Virtues are not obvious in our daily duties.
Yet Virtue shines in the noble accomplishment.
So we must pursue and treasure a job well done.

==The Circle of Virtues==

From the love in our hearts
We find our Compassion
And through our Compassion
We unearth our Spirituality
And through our Spirituality
We illustrate our Sacrifice
And through our Sacrifice
We reinforce our Humility
And through our Humility
We confirm our Honor
And through our Honor
We present our Valor
And through our Valor
We realize our Honesty
And through our Honesty
We bestow our Justice
And through our Justice
We convey our Compassion
And thus we discover the Circle
The Circle of Virtues

==Prayer for Inner Guidance- Arcana==

May Spirituality guide me, on this journey through life.

May Compassion temper my thoughts and actions as I seek to live among society and build relationships. 

May forgiveness become easier for me.

May Honesty always be present in my words and dealing with others. 

May my friendships be based on Honesty.

May Valor always accompany me in combat.

May Justice not be a stranger to me.

May Honor always guide my actions.

May Sacrifice lend me the courage to defend what I love, even when it brings me pain.

May Chaos and Order live in harmony, each serving it's role and not overtaking the other. 

May the randomness of Chaos keep us free from monotony.

May I never forget to be Humble, in all things.

==Prayer of Complimentary Virtues==

Leader: When we seek to balance a Virtue within the Principles.

Cong: We seek the Complimentary Virtue.

Leader: For through the embrace of Complimentary Virtues

Cong: We fulfill the Principles.

Leader: Compassion takes Love leaving Truth and Courage.

Cong: Which gives us Honor.

Leader: Sacrifice takes Love with Courage leaving Truth

Cong: Which gives us Honesty.

Leader: Justice takes Truth with Love leaving Courage

Cong: Which gives us Valor.

Leader: Spirituality adores all three leaving the void

Cong: Which gives us Humility.

Leader: Through the Compliments the Principles are filled

Cong: Which gives us Balance.

Leader: With the Balance the Principles are multiplied

Cong: Through the Virtues.

Leader: The Virtues are built of the Principles.

Cong: Truth, Love, and Courage.

Leader: The Principles are exemplified through the Virtues

Cong: And strengthened through Balance.