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Dec 29th, 2019
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 51
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 51 |
I am moved by the empathy, concern, and prayerful support displayed in this thread. Also, the candor and fellowship demonstrated here made up my mind to finally join the BF. Mutating the familiar AM radio talk show salutation, ' Hiya BZ, been a long time lurker, but am a first time poster.
I recommend this to those respondents who are suffering a lack of dynamism in their Faith. It may help significantly. It's simply this: Get your hands "dirty" and help others who are poor and poor in spirit. Don't just talk about it, but do it. Please know, I also suffer from a Faith that waxes and wanes. I need to take my own advice as easily as I give it. If the above sounds preachy, forgive me, that's not my intent. In my limited experience, and as a life-long Eastern Catholic I have been and continue to be troubled by how much onus is on saying and praying, but
so little on a serious attempt to do for others, particularly the marginalized in our society. I need counsel on this point from the BF I think. Am I mistaken; is there a dynamic and organized attempt to service the poor and poor in spirit in your parish communities?
In my own spiritual journey, something that I have given more serious thought to in more recent years, I do know that when I attempt a selfless giving of myself to others I really feel like I am doing Christ's will; I really feel like I "get it." It creates a feedback loop that provides a precious insight into Christian love and grace. And in the process I realize how much of myself is wrapped up in pride and a comfortable lifestyle. It is a way of orienting myself to a meaningfulness in my Faith. Maybe this is oversimplifying it, we are impelled to do more than just this as Catholics I realize, but for me as I think Christ is leading me, it is a very important part of preserving and realizing my Faith.
Hope this helps somehow.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,328 Likes: 95
Moderator Member
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Moderator Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,328 Likes: 95 |
Thessalonius Monk, a new member, writes:
I am moved by the empathy, concern, and prayerful support displayed in this thread. Also, the candor and fellowship demonstrated here made up my mind to finally join the BF. Mutating the familiar AM radio talk show salutation, ' Hiya BZ, been a long time lurker, but am a first time poster.
I recommend this to those respondents who are suffering a lack of dynamism in their Faith. It may help significantly. It's simply this: Get your hands "dirty" and help others who are poor and poor in spirit. Don't just talk about it, but do it. Please know, I also suffer from a Faith that waxes and wanes. I need to take my own advice as easily as I give it. If the above sounds preachy, forgive me, that's not my intent. In my limited experience, and as a life-long Eastern Catholic I have been and continue to be troubled by how much onus is on saying and praying, but
so little on a serious attempt to do for others, particularly the marginalized in our socie ty. I need counsel on this point from the BF I think. Am I mistaken; is there a dynamic and organized attempt to service the poor and poor in spirit in your parish communities?
In my own spiritual journey, something that I have given more serious thought to in more recent years, I do know that when I attempt a selfless giving of myself to others I really feel like I am doing Christ's will; I really feel like I "get it." It creates a feedback loop that provides a precious insight into Christian love and grace. And in the process I realize how much of myself is wrapped up in pride and a comfortable lifestyle. It is a way of orienting myself to a meaningfulness in my Faith. Maybe this is oversimplifying it, we are impelled to do more than just this as Catholics I realize, but for me as I think Christ is leading me, it is a very important part of preserving and realizing my Faith.
Hope this helps somehow. Christ is in our midst!! Welcome to the forum. I don't know where your reply ended up in the software, but it came to me as a moderator since new members are in moderation for a time. Ultimately, it seems to me, it's not about how empathetic my parish is. It's what I do with the gift given. My parish may be made up of people only concerned with observing the rituals, but that does not excuse me from taking the proddings of the Holy Spirit and being His vessel to do the work He wants done. We are all called, it seems to me, to be the Good Samaritan whenever and wherever we are called to that mercy toward others. When the Lord, at the Great and Awesome Final Judgment, tells me I failed to see Him in the least of His brethren, the excuse that my parish didn't do it just doesn't wash. Maybe we are called to be the light to such a place and lead by quiet example. But in any case, we are called to live out our life both in community and as individuals. We get nourished in the community but we are all put in places where no one in the community is at the time. Our witness at that time not only shows what Christ calls us to do but should also reflect the community that has nourished us. Bob
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