Does anyone else get tired of being told they're spiritually lazy?

[goout]

Check out Cardinal Sarah’s book on Silence. It might provide some balance.
I find that the more I enter into that Godly silence and stillness, the more my actions make sense and take flight. Balance. Integrity.

 

[Kei]

Honestly, I can never tell how I’m doing. I go to Mass, go to confession once or twice a month, try not to commit grave sin-- I probably do a couple of times a year-- go to adoration now and then, try to serve and connect with whoever I happen to see throughout my day, do works of Mercy, give to charities. But it doesn’t seem like I’m even a smidgen closer to God than I was last year or 5 years ago. It’s really a bummer.

Well, I think maybe a spiritual director would help, but when, say, you pray your Rosary, are you asking for any particular grace/virtue?
Of course, with all the terrible and difficult stuff that’s been going on it may be great graces that you can still be where you were 5 years ago!

 

[Raxus]

Why not? Does going to Mass require some great effort?

Sometimes, yes. Especially when the enemy is working hard on you to convince you that it’s not worth the effort or time.

 

[Raxus]

I just want some kind of understanding that we’re not all ignoring the Lord except to sit through obligatory Mass, which these days, is not even obligatory on Sunday and one could skip the whole thing.

I understand, if that helps. I think God understands, too. Maybe that’s why He led you to this site, so that you could get some encouragement and help when you need it. For what it’s worth, I think your posts are some of the best on here, and they show a spiritual life lived thoughtfully.

As long as we keep doing what we should, it’s okay to feel what we feel. The act of doing invariably pulls us back around to place of comfort and recharge, so that we can keep going through times of attack or times of frustration.

You got this, just the way you are. Just keep going.

 

[Sarcelle]

If you wanted to focus on your school work or even take some time off and watch a football game instead of taking on more social justice work, he got upset.

He sounds like a control freak to me. He sounds like he’s more successful in driving people away which of course defeats the purpose of evangelization. As St. Teresa of Avila once said, “God save us from sour Saints.”

I’d give him a wide berth if I met him.

 

[Lucy_1]

but when, say, you pray your Rosary, are you asking for any particular grace/virtue?

No I don’t. Can you tell me more about how to do this, and which bead you ask for it?

 

[Sarcelle]

I think the bead you ask for it is when you say the mystery.

Like in the Glorious mystery, the Assumption, we ask for the gift of a happy death.

 

[Kei]

No I don’t. Can you tell me more about how to do this, and which bead you ask for it?

Well, really any I guess, but I believe the more common is when you name the mystery. You can try to pray the whole five or 15 decades for one particular virtue (like at the beginning), too, if you want. Remember we have to pray the Rosary with focus, despite how difficult it can be and easy it is to fail.
In the same vein, this month is a great month to pray especially for the Holy souls in purgatory, and ask them to pray for us as well! God bless.

 

[lwest]

I know St. Paul tells us to build each other up in the Faith. I think some people need to re-read that. Don’t let it get to you. Do the best you can. Keep going. Keep praying. Let God help you grow closer to Him. It’s to Him we give an account, not anyone else.