Daily Mass and Prayer

[wjp984]

Is this really a productive thing and can there ever be too much of it? I’ve made an effort to go more often to mass and adoration and stuff. However, for one, and I know that this is a stupid reason, but I don’t like giving off an impression that I care about things like mass or think its a good idea so I sometimes will refrain from going if I think I’ve went enough times. Actually, that’s usually my excuse for why I don’t do a lot of good things. I also wonder if there ever is a point when it is just not productive. I’ve been kind of selfish for a lot of my life and though maybe in time I’ll find ways to help others more, is going ot mass and praying more often sufficient? Law school takes up most of my time so I don’t have time for much but I do regret not doing more when I did have the time and if I am not getting involved helping others I hope at least spending more time in prayer is something.

 

[puzzleannie]

Is. However, for one, and I know that this is a stupid reason, but I don’t like giving off an impression that I care about things like mass or think its a good idea so I sometimes will refrain from going if I think I’ve went enough times. Actually, that’s usually my excuse for why I don’t do a lot of good things. I also wonder if there ever is a point when it is just not productive. .

give the impression to whom?
OP mentions someone who is presumably an adult if they are a law student, so why on earth is the opinion of others (except their confessor and spiritual director) a factor in their spiritual life at all?

Every Mass of course is productive and of infinite value on its own, with or without your participation. Subjectively, spiritual exercises are of little use to the individual if carried out for wrong motivations, or by someone who remains locked in a state of sin without recourse to the sacraments and a firm purpose of amendment. For instance, acts of charity engaged in for the sole purpose of gaining a tax deduction or getting recognition, or because it massages the ego, would be better left undone.

Yes we of course receive all the blessings of Mass and spiritual exercises every time, whether or not we get an emotional reward, even if we were less than attentive, but only to the extent that we are open to them.

The question at hand for the hypothetical person placed in this dilemma is not “should I or should I not do spiritual exercises” but “am I or am I not cultivating the virtues and combatting the sinful habits which affect my motivation in the spiritual life. am I seeking first humility and obedience, and the virtues that flow from them.”

 

[Teeliumtrozzle]

Mass is fun, I think you should try to go as much as possible. I used to go every day during the summer, but that was a very long time ago and I can’t do it now because of school.But it doesn’t matter, just pray as muich as you can and try to help people and God will be pleased.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Is this really a productive thing and can there ever be too much of it? I’ve made an effort to go more often to mass and adoration and stuff. However, for one, and I know that this is a stupid reason, but I don’t like giving off an impression that I care about things like mass or think its a good idea so I sometimes will refrain from going if I think I’ve went enough times. Actually, that’s usually my excuse for why I don’t do a lot of good things. I also wonder if there ever is a point when it is just not productive. I’ve been kind of selfish for a lot of my life and though maybe in time I’ll find ways to help others more, is going ot mass and praying more often sufficient? Law school takes up most of my time so I don’t have time for much but I do regret not doing more when I did have the time and if I am not getting involved helping others I hope at least spending more time in prayer is something.

The reason for going to Mass and praying is because of our love for God. Its and action that comes from the heart. Also, it is through the prayer and the sacraments, that we grow closer to Him. A person who loves another, desires to be with that person. So it should be with those who love Jesus, our beloved.

If you’re going just for the sake of following religion, you need to adjust your understanding, of just what you practice religion at all?

Jim

 

[wjp984]

give the impression to whom?
OP mentions someone who is presumably an adult if they are a law student, so why on earth is the opinion of others (except their confessor and spiritual director) a factor in their spiritual life at all?

Every Mass of course is productive and of infinite value on its own, with or without your participation. Subjectively, spiritual exercises are of little use to the individual if carried out for wrong motivations, or by someone who remains locked in a state of sin without recourse to the sacraments and a firm purpose of amendment. For instance, acts of charity engaged in for the sole purpose of gaining a tax deduction or getting recognition, or because it massages the ego, would be better left undone.

Yes we of course receive all the blessings of Mass and spiritual exercises every time, whether or not we get an emotional reward, even if we were less than attentive, but only to the extent that we are open to them.

The question at hand for the hypothetical person placed in this dilemma is not “should I or should I not do spiritual exercises” but “am I or am I not cultivating the virtues and combatting the sinful habits which affect my motivation in the spiritual life. am I seeking first humility and obedience, and the virtues that flow from them.”

I do not think very rationally in general about things since I have an anxiety disorder and therefore base everything I do on what I think anyone else around me or that I know will think. Basically I live in constant fear and worry. This generally means I rarely do what I want to do or think I should do or for that matter, what God is calling me towards. I don’t need to hear how stupid that is as I’ve done this for years and the only solution is to desensitize myself slowly to things and get reassurances in dealing with my irrational fears.

It is just really starting to bother me. It was the most wonderful of times last semester devoting all my studying up to God and saying how if I do excpetionally well I won’t let my anxieties get the best of me. If I eliminate all anxiety I know what I want or think I am called to do, well at least a few options, but I won’t admit to them. Anyways I made top 5-10% of my class after first semester largely because I was so relaxed while studying and taking exams knowing that God was with me. However, I’ve been bad about the not letting my anxieties get the best of me and have come up with excuses how I would have done that well anyways so as the defense goes in Torts, there is no causation if it would have happened anyways. I mean, its superstitious to think that I only did that well because God helped me anyways.

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