The spiritual life of the Christian is based on the practice of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love, for as Severian of Gabala stated: “Faith encourages us to do good, charity to bear pain and effort, and hope to resist patiently.” Faith must be reflected in one’s conduct, for “faith apart from works is dead.” As St. John Chrysostom taught, “Belief and faith are proved by works, not by simply saying that one believes, but by real actions, which are kept up, and by a heart burning with love.” For God’s sake, the service of others is proof of this love. A person who practices this virtue always rises to the occasion and does not try to dodge sacrifice or effort. Hope is a virtue that St. Thomas said “enables one to endure adversity.” St. Paul, in this letter to the Thessalonians, encourages us to rejoice in hope and to be patient in tribulation, for hope fills the soul with joy and gives it the strength to bear every difficulty for the love of God.