Cleanliness Next to Godliness

  • Thread starter Thread starter AServantofGod
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

AServantofGod

Guest
Do you believe that there is some truth to the saying, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”?

If this is true, how about “Orderliness is next to Godliness”?

Does this refer to our bodies, life, home, all aspects of our life?
 
40.png
AServantofGod:
Do you believe that there is some truth to the saying, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”?

If this is true, how about “Orderliness is next to Godliness”?

Does this refer to our bodies, life, home, all aspects of our life?
Click to expand...
not sure… i don’t believe you will find that in scripture… however, you will find that being next to God is no harder than being kind… 👍
 
Yikes - I hope this not true. While I am not a slob, I am a single mom struggling to keep my house picked up while I chase 2 boys.

Second thought - maybe I can use this to inspire some cleaning amongst the troops? “Boys, let’s get Godly and clean up your legos and army men that multiply daily!”
 
I like to think of this in terms of the life of our Blessed Mother. She led a quiet humble life, taking care of house and home for Joseph and Jesus. I can’t imagine Mary being a slob or leaving her house a dirty mess. Yes I understand it’s easier for some to keep order than others, and some seem to have the knack for keeping organized. But that’s no reason for anyone not to TRY to keep their home clean and orderly for the family. Is cleanliness next to Godliness? I imagine the Virgin Mary was clean, and she was constantly next to God.
 
I remember a homily given by a visiting priest once. He talked on the idea that cleanliness is next to godliness, and then proceeded to make an account of the Nativity, how it really happened–surrounded by animals, Christ laid in a feeding trough, etc. His point was that humbleness is next to godliness, and sometimes that means having to get your hands dirty.
 
Dr. Colossus:
I remember a homily given by a visiting priest once. He talked on the idea that cleanliness is next to godliness, and then proceeded to make an account of the Nativity, how it really happened–surrounded by animals, Christ laid in a feeding trough, etc. His point was that humbleness is next to godliness, and sometimes that means having to get your hands dirty.
Click to expand...
Excellent point! I suppose at times certain tasks of parenting, helping others, church involvement, etc. involve us getting our hands dirty & not spending that extra hour dusting or organizing a closet.

Now someone is going to ask (probably my husband), “How about the time you spend on the Catholic Answers forums? Cut back there & you’ll find the time to organize.”
 
Dr. Colossus:
I remember a homily given by a visiting priest… His point was that humbleness is next to godliness, and sometimes that means having to get your hands dirty.
Click to expand...
And it is quite humbling to open up one’s home when it’s not in a “perfect” state especially to people who have their homes coordinated, organized & neat. I suppose you do your best then offer up the discomfort that comes from seeing that clutter every day & when visitors arrive.
 
40.png
AServantofGod:
Do you believe that there is some truth to the saying, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”?
Click to expand...
Historically, this saying comes about because much of the Law given to Moses concerns hygienic and aseptic practices. Things like how to wash pots after cooking (cooper ones were scrubbed, clay ones were destroyed), requiring women to bathe following their monthly cycle, and burying human waste outside of the camp (so that God wouldn’t be offended by it when He walks around the camp).
 
In the creation account we are told there was “chaos” and that God brought order to it.

After the fall we became disordered. I believe that our journey with God involves Him, bringing order to our souls.🙂
 
This is what I found on a site about aphorisms and mottoes:
Cleanliness is next to godliness
Although often thought to be biblical, this saying comes from a sermon by John Wesley (1703-91) referring to neatness of dress: ‘Cleanliness is indeed next to godliness’. In the published sermon the words are put in inverted commas, implying an existing saying. The sentiment is certainly an old one, probably ancient Hebrew, but the familiar wording dates from Wesley
Click to expand...
 
the answer lies in the Rule of St Benedict, where the good father discusses care of altar vessels, and likens care of the kitchen vessels to them, in that both are used to nourish the faithful. He links care of the kitchen, sleeping areas, living areas of the monastery (home) to the virtue of hospitality which is a cardinal one for Benedictines.
 
Well i dont know, but every situation is different and i have been in some bad ones. At one point I had to stay in a small singlewide
with 6 kids and my husband,we had one big bedroom and one small
one. That was no fun and it was very hard to be orginized.
Things are better now and the job is alot easier when you have the rite tools.
Also I have a Grandmother who is a clean freak and i dont ever want to be that way.
Mary and Martha, Who picked the better portion?

Well I am a Mary and I would rather tend to the people in my life.
On the other hand, You cant serve anyone in a mess.
SO WHO KNOWS ????? A little of both
 
I was once accused of being a Martha, and sometimes I am. However, sometimes being a Martha is really being a Mary. Let me explain. If you are at the house of a person trying to make everything perfect & you join in on the work, you are really providing yourself with a great opportunity to interact on familiar ground.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top