Charity versus Prayer

[HailStarofSea]

When are charitable deeds superior to prayer?

Why did God want St. Catherine of Siena to do charity instead of enclosing herself and praying and why did these circumstances not apply to others?

 

[edward_george]

Why does it have to be either/or? Why should we have to prefer one to another? Why would you think God prefers one or another? Both are a means of responding to the grace of God and thus returning to Him. As for why others are not called to what St. Catherine of Siena was, it’s because you’re not Catherine of Siena, nor am I, nor is anyone else. God has a unique calling for each of us.

-ACEGC

 

[DebChris]

Years ago I read a book on prayer for beginners. The last chapter had a story about a monk who had been waiting years for a vision. As he was praying the vision appeared. At the same time, the bell to the monastery that indicated it was time to feed the poor also rang. He left the chapel and fed those who waited. Upon returning to the chapel, he was surprised that the vision was still there. The angel in the vision said, “Had you not left, I would have.”
Charity can be seen as prayer in action. It is an act of love for those whom God has created.
The story of the last judgment tells us we will be judged by how we treated the least of our brothers. We also have the story of the Good Samaritan.
We do have the story of Mary and Martha in which Jesus says Mary has chosen the better portion, of staying at his feet while Martha was concerned with matters of hospitality.
Our acts of charity must be acts of love, not merely duty. Our prayer life, the time we spend at the feet of Jesus prepares us for action, to bring Christ to His people.

 

[po18guy]

Why does it have to be either/or? Why should we have to prefer one to another? Why would you think God prefers one or another? Both are a means of responding to the grace of God and thus returning to Him. As for why others are not called to what St. Catherine of Siena was, it’s because you’re not Catherine of Siena, nor am I, nor is anyone else. God has a unique calling for each of us.

-ACEGC

Amen! We have both corporal and spiritual works of mercy. We are to discern our path according to God’s will and follow it. That path may include many things separately, or a combination of all.

The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) applies here. God gives to us as He wills, and according to our ability. Whether we receive little, or much from Him, it is intended to be humbling.

 

[HailStarofSea]

Years ago I read a book on prayer for beginners. The last chapter had a story about a monk who had been waiting years for a vision. As he was praying the vision appeared. At the same time, the bell to the monastery that indicated it was time to feed the poor also rang. He left the chapel and fed those who waited. Upon returning to the chapel, he was surprised that the vision was still there. The angel in the vision said, “Had you not left, I would have.”
Charity can be seen as prayer in action. It is an act of love for those whom God has created.
The story of the last judgment tells us we will be judged by how we treated the least of our brothers. We also have the story of the Good Samaritan.
We do have the story of Mary and Martha in which Jesus says Mary has chosen the better portion, of staying at his feet while Martha was concerned with matters of hospitality.
Our acts of charity must be acts of love, not merely duty. Our prayer life, the time we spend at the feet of Jesus prepares us for action, to bring Christ to His people.

Thank you for this. Do you remember what book this monk was mentioned in?

But wouldn’t Martha be the one who was not choosing the best option in acts of charity, i.e. what is the difference between love and duty?

 

[DebChris]

Thank you for this. Do you remember what book this monk was mentioned in?

But wouldn’t Martha be the one who was not choosing the best option in acts of charity, i.e. what is the difference between love and duty?

I don’t remember the specific name of the book. It was a beginner’s guide to prayer, which may actually have been the title.
Martha was the hostess. Hospitality is indeed important in the Christian life. Sometimes, we can get so caught up the busyness of our daily life that we lose sight of why we are doing the things we do. Martha approached Jesus, her guest, and asked Him to chide Mary for not helping with the chores. There is a joy that comes from giving out of love that is lacking when we act in a certain way simply because it is required.
In Corinthians 13:3, St. Paul tells us “If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

I wish I could find a copy, or better yet a new plaque, of the Kitchen Prayer my mother used to have. It contains an honesty lacking in more modern versions.
“Oh, Lord of pots and pans and things, make my grumbling cease…
I may have Martha’s hands, but I have Mary heart…”

 

[DebChris]

I did a Google search and found a copy of the prayer my mother kept in the kitchen.

Lord of all pots and pans and things,
Since I’ve no time to be
A saint by doing lovely things or
Watching late with thee,
Or dreaming in the twilight or
Storming heaven’s gates.
Make me a saint by getting meals or
Washing up the plates.

Although I must have Martha’s hands,
I have Mary’s mind, and,
When I black the boots and shoes
Thy sandals, Lord, I find.
I think of how they trod the earth
What time I scrub the floor,
Accept this meditation, Lord,
I haven’t time for more.

Warm all the kitchen with thy love,
And light it with thy peace,
Forgive me all my worrying
And make all grumbling cease.
Thou who didst love to give men food
In room or by the sea
Accept this service that I do
I do it unto thee.