Desires to acquire material possessions...are they wrong?

[scoobydoo6v92]

Might I let you know of what a priest recently said to me, since selling a house is even pretty unlikely in this economy (if you wanted)? Anyway, since I’m long-time unemployed and am living on family charity my own concerns were somewhat similar to yours and he told me, “When you get back on your feet, just don’t forget about Our Lord”.
Makes it pretty simple, huh? Hope it helps you as it did me!

Yes I agree with you and I am very glad that you are doing ok. I hate to see people out on the street I hate to see people have shattered dreams I hate to see anyone in agony. I KNOW Jesus is real. I see all the protestant churches with those advertising signs in front of their church, saying things like “nothing is impossible or God” or “Jesus is stronger than your biggest problem” The thing is I know that is all true. I will thank him and I do now, just begging him to give me a little leg up a break even just a week where I can just relax and not worry or have a great night’s sleep . I can’t sleep I can’t enjoy anything right now. It is hell and if Hell is anything like this I am in the confessional 24/7

I am trying to be positive like I used to be when discerning the priesthood. I am trying so bear with me guys Thanks Scoob

 

[brigid12]

Yes I agree with you and I am very glad that you are doing ok. I hate to see people out on the street I hate to see people have shattered dreams I hate to see anyone in agony. I KNOW Jesus is real. I see all the protestant churches with those advertising signs in front of their church, saying things like “nothing is impossible or God” or “Jesus is stronger than your biggest problem” The thing is I know that is all true. I will thank him and I do now, just begging him to give me a little leg up a break even just a week where I can just relax and not worry or have a great night’s sleep . I can’t sleep I can’t enjoy anything right now. It is hell and if Hell is anything like this I am in the confessional 24/7

I am trying to be positive like I used to be when discerning the priesthood. I am trying so bear with me guys Thanks Scoob

Bearing with each other (and ourselves) is what Christ wanted from us. I will pray for you (and please pray for me?). We, with Christ who feels our every agony, will get through this to a much better day!

 

[Augustine]

I agree. But right now if I lose my home, I will be out on the street.OF COURSE!!! no on gives a damn!! I am trying to trust and pray and all that. But so far the phone still rings everyday (and it isn’t the sweepstakes telling me I’ve won) and I am getting deeper and deeper into the hole and I am getting pretty sick and tired!!!. Of course if I were a bank or an auto maker or with the UAW of course I wouldn’t be worried. I am starting to give up hope. And when you are in this situation (I know I am not the only one) it is hard to once and a while think Gee I wonder what it would feel like to not only worry, But be able to buy something like a Mercedes or a BMW. All I am hoping for is to keep my damn house. SO yes it is very disheartening. Hope it gets better I don’t know. Scoob.

I do care and I do hope that it gets better. Having been in worse a situation, I myself was disheartened too. I only got out of the hole when got the first job, any job, that showed up. It provided so meager an income that I continued looking for a second job in the evening in order to be able to make rent. I sure was glad that my parents were chipping in with the food.

Hang in there, if at all possible.

 

[ADH]

I struggle with this one. There are so many material possessions I want and they are not restricted to one are like cars. I could spend hours looking at cars furniture books etc etc etc. What it usually ends up is being a pity party because I can’t usually have all of them. So for me it is lack of gratitude on my part and coveting what I think everyone but me has. I think as long as that isn’t a part of it it may be alright. A second thing is that you have to realize that these things are only temporary. They will make you happy during your lifetime on earth but after you die they have no value unless you were willing to use them to help someone else. I feel guilty sometimes for wanting something as long as there are poor and needy people in the world but that is a guilt trip. Anyway I can identify with you.

 

[JReducation]

I struggle with this one. There are so many material possessions I want and they are not restricted to one are like cars. I could spend hours looking at cars furniture books etc etc etc. What it usually ends up is being a pity party because I can’t usually have all of them. So for me it is lack of gratitude on my part and coveting what I think everyone but me has. I think as long as that isn’t a part of it it may be alright. A second thing is that you have to realize that these things are only temporary. They will make you happy during your lifetime on earth but after you die they have no value unless you were willing to use them to help someone else. I feel guilty sometimes for wanting something as long as there are poor and needy people in the world but that is a guilt trip. Anyway I can identify with you.

A Carthusian monk once said to me, “When you reach the place where the only thing that you want in life is to spend your days with Christ, then you have reached real detachment.”

He was referring to the Carthusian vocation. But it actually applies to any vocation. The goal is to reach that point where one desires nothing more than Christ. The rest is left in God’s hands to resolve.

JR