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lilypadrees
Guest
I love Lent. It’s Spring cleaning for the soul.
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Saint_Prince_Caspian
Guest
Maybe a timely Lenten reflection on Martha and Mary. Lent is actually to take a step back from the busy demands, like playing Piano and the Organ. And best timed spent in prayer. I think you do a lot. And that is generally why people suffer during Lent. Because they are genuinely busy and worried about many things.
When I am busy and worried about many things. Sin hits me quick. Temptations so sins play their kindly role. Telling my body, soul, heart, and mind that this will make me feel better. Which it does not. It robs me of the richness and beauty of Salvation. Lent is to call us back to this. A time to stop and pause from what we’re doing. Or, when we tire from our labors from work. To sit before Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Or to pray the Rosary to Our Lady.
To truly rest from our labors. And placing us at the foot of the Cross.
Everything you describe shows you work honestly hard. And like Martha, genuinely care about many things. Just take time to read the point in the Gospel wherefore Martha is busy not only to Christ’s attention. But also attending to the guests who followed Him into her home. You might look for a retreat on a weekend. Also, maybe a spiritual director, a priest. Someone to talk to as you are going through Lent. It helps when you have someone to talk to. And walk the journey with you.
I will pray for you.
When I am busy and worried about many things. Sin hits me quick. Temptations so sins play their kindly role. Telling my body, soul, heart, and mind that this will make me feel better. Which it does not. It robs me of the richness and beauty of Salvation. Lent is to call us back to this. A time to stop and pause from what we’re doing. Or, when we tire from our labors from work. To sit before Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Or to pray the Rosary to Our Lady.
To truly rest from our labors. And placing us at the foot of the Cross.
Everything you describe shows you work honestly hard. And like Martha, genuinely care about many things. Just take time to read the point in the Gospel wherefore Martha is busy not only to Christ’s attention. But also attending to the guests who followed Him into her home. You might look for a retreat on a weekend. Also, maybe a spiritual director, a priest. Someone to talk to as you are going through Lent. It helps when you have someone to talk to. And walk the journey with you.
I will pray for you.
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Greenfields
Guest
I love Lent ,but often struggle with sticking to what I’d decided on offering up.But having said that,so often something extra is provided (hardships ,unexpected worries etc)
Staying focussed takes a lot of work ,but there is always tomorrow if today hasn’t quite worked out as planned
Staying focussed takes a lot of work ,but there is always tomorrow if today hasn’t quite worked out as planned
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Saint_Prince_Caspian
Guest
I have a reckless Lent this year. That, I mean, is I gave up something in quiet reserve in my heart.
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Greenfields
Guest
We could ask our Guardian Angel daily to help us make a good Lent 
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XJ9
Guest
I say this 100% unironically:
It sounds like for you (and for some other people) Lent sucks, which is the whole point. It’s supposed to suck. That’s why it’s penitential.
So, in a way, sounds like things are going well.
It sounds like for you (and for some other people) Lent sucks, which is the whole point. It’s supposed to suck. That’s why it’s penitential.
So, in a way, sounds like things are going well.
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oldgraymare2
Guest
Hi @Peeps,
What I’m trying to remember to do this Lent–more than anything else especially–is to remember to just “offer up” every bit of annoyance and everything that is a personal suffering for me, to the Lord.
I have many chronic health issues that are a real personal trial for me sometimes, and I thought upon reflection that I could do a much better job at my share of Redemptive Suffering than I usually do.
So, I am trying to make a point of doing that, plus trying to do more spiritual things too, this Lent.
I can understand serving your parish as a musician, and wishing that there were more people who would step up to help.
I used to serve in that way also as a Cantor and Psalmist and Choir member, but my health issues became too much, along with then taking care of my remaining Gramma who needed more care-giving at the time, so I gave up my volunteer activities with my parish at the time.
I knew other parish members who also had music backgrounds, but they didn’t want to join the choir, for example.
I think that they didn’t want to add any other commitments to their schedule. I think that is what it may come down to for some.
They may already have outside commitments that we don’t know about–volunteering for other activities outside of the parish, taking care of other family members and so on.
What I’m trying to remember to do this Lent–more than anything else especially–is to remember to just “offer up” every bit of annoyance and everything that is a personal suffering for me, to the Lord.
I have many chronic health issues that are a real personal trial for me sometimes, and I thought upon reflection that I could do a much better job at my share of Redemptive Suffering than I usually do.
So, I am trying to make a point of doing that, plus trying to do more spiritual things too, this Lent.
I can understand serving your parish as a musician, and wishing that there were more people who would step up to help.
I used to serve in that way also as a Cantor and Psalmist and Choir member, but my health issues became too much, along with then taking care of my remaining Gramma who needed more care-giving at the time, so I gave up my volunteer activities with my parish at the time.
I knew other parish members who also had music backgrounds, but they didn’t want to join the choir, for example.
I think that they didn’t want to add any other commitments to their schedule. I think that is what it may come down to for some.
They may already have outside commitments that we don’t know about–volunteering for other activities outside of the parish, taking care of other family members and so on.
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DisorientingSneeze
Guest
In practice I’ve never been very good at that because I always feel like I deserve the suffering or I did it to myself, but I’ve turned a corner a little bit in how handle it. I think of the people I’m suffering for as being Jesus. Example: the baby woke up way too many times last night (I’m comforting Jesus). I wish my husband would get up with her more but I don’t ask him to (I’m letting Jesus get some rest).
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Peeps
Guest
Appreciate your suggestions.
If I don’t help out (as a substitute) when other musicians ask me to help out at their parishes, then THEY suffer, and I personally find that just as stressful, if not more stressful, than actually playing.
Also, even though many people on CAF seem to hate most of the music in their parish, most church-goers look forward to hearing and singing the sacred music and feel a little let-down if there is no music at a Sunday Mass.
You talk about “resting from our labors.” I work in a hospital. We are having an outbreak of Flu again, and our work hours are long and packed with activity. I can’t just walk out! Most people who work can’t just walk away from it.
Retreat on a weekend? i’ve worked the last two weekends, and during the weekends I’m not working, I’m playing piano and organ, for the reasons I mentioned above.
As for scheduling someone to talk to–that’s just one more Thing To Do.’’
I think that Lent should be a time when the Church cancels EVERYTHING except Mass with no music, funerals, and parish schools. EVERYTHING else is cancelled–no parish Bible studies, no parish missions, no charitable activities, no cantatas (and no rehearsal), no NOTHIN’! And NO restrictions on food, because food restrictions generally mean that the women-folk (in most families) have to step up their food prep game in order to try to provide their families with Lent-Friendly meals–still MORE work/burden dumped on us!
But I don’t see any let-up on the demands. I think that somehow, they think that by telling us to do all these Lent-y things, that we will just stop doing all the things that we are required to do (jobs, child care, elderly care, self care, lawn/snow care, etc.) to do all these “spiritual, Lent-y” things. And they don’t realize that they are just adding to the burden.
Sorry if I sound like a grouch. I’m tired after working all weekend. And I honestly do think that Lent is not for me. I’m managing the Bare Minimum–obligation Mass, no meat on Fridays, and that’s pretty much it. I wish all the rest of you well in your endeavors to grow closer to the Lord during Lent.
If I don’t help out (as a substitute) when other musicians ask me to help out at their parishes, then THEY suffer, and I personally find that just as stressful, if not more stressful, than actually playing.
Also, even though many people on CAF seem to hate most of the music in their parish, most church-goers look forward to hearing and singing the sacred music and feel a little let-down if there is no music at a Sunday Mass.
You talk about “resting from our labors.” I work in a hospital. We are having an outbreak of Flu again, and our work hours are long and packed with activity. I can’t just walk out! Most people who work can’t just walk away from it.
Retreat on a weekend? i’ve worked the last two weekends, and during the weekends I’m not working, I’m playing piano and organ, for the reasons I mentioned above.
As for scheduling someone to talk to–that’s just one more Thing To Do.’’
I think that Lent should be a time when the Church cancels EVERYTHING except Mass with no music, funerals, and parish schools. EVERYTHING else is cancelled–no parish Bible studies, no parish missions, no charitable activities, no cantatas (and no rehearsal), no NOTHIN’! And NO restrictions on food, because food restrictions generally mean that the women-folk (in most families) have to step up their food prep game in order to try to provide their families with Lent-Friendly meals–still MORE work/burden dumped on us!
But I don’t see any let-up on the demands. I think that somehow, they think that by telling us to do all these Lent-y things, that we will just stop doing all the things that we are required to do (jobs, child care, elderly care, self care, lawn/snow care, etc.) to do all these “spiritual, Lent-y” things. And they don’t realize that they are just adding to the burden.
Sorry if I sound like a grouch. I’m tired after working all weekend. And I honestly do think that Lent is not for me. I’m managing the Bare Minimum–obligation Mass, no meat on Fridays, and that’s pretty much it. I wish all the rest of you well in your endeavors to grow closer to the Lord during Lent.
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Justin_Mary
Guest
Does it count if you complain? Serious question.
It makes sense if I accept the suffering I can offer it up, United with the cross. But if I’m complaining the whole time, is that even a good Christian example?
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Vico
Guest
My guess is that complaining somewhat reduces the merit because it is a less perfect offering of endurance.Vico:
Does it count if you complain? Serious question.
It makes sense if I accept the suffering I can offer it up, United with the cross. But if I’m complaining the whole time, is that even a good Christian example?
There is merit in good we do in a state of sanctifying grace. The Catechism states that
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Peeps
Guest
No, we don’t go meatless every day. The Church doesn’t require this.
And even if they did, we would be fine with mac n cheese (Kraft), grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, and frozen cheese pizzas, along with lots of tater chips and candy. We eat a very poor diet, which lends itself very well to not eating a lot of meat.
And even if they did, we would be fine with mac n cheese (Kraft), grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, and frozen cheese pizzas, along with lots of tater chips and candy. We eat a very poor diet, which lends itself very well to not eating a lot of meat.
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hazcompat
Guest
SECTION VII.—The Hidden Work of Divine Love.
What great truths are hidden even from Christians who imagine themselves most enlightened! How many are there amongst them who understand that every cross, every action, every attraction according to the designs of God, give God to us in a way that nothing can better explain than a comparison with the most august mystery? Nevertheless there is nothing more certain. Does not reason as well as faith reveal to us the real presence of divine love in all creatures, and in all the events of life, as indubitably as the words of Jesus Christ and of the Church reveal the real presence of the sacred flesh of our Savior under the Eucharistic species? Do we not know that by all creatures, and by every event the divine love desires to unite us to Himself, that He has ordained, arranged, or permitted everything about us, everything that happens to us with a view to this union?
Abandonment to Divine Providence
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Jean-Pierre de Caussade
Peace
What great truths are hidden even from Christians who imagine themselves most enlightened! How many are there amongst them who understand that every cross, every action, every attraction according to the designs of God, give God to us in a way that nothing can better explain than a comparison with the most august mystery? Nevertheless there is nothing more certain. Does not reason as well as faith reveal to us the real presence of divine love in all creatures, and in all the events of life, as indubitably as the words of Jesus Christ and of the Church reveal the real presence of the sacred flesh of our Savior under the Eucharistic species? Do we not know that by all creatures, and by every event the divine love desires to unite us to Himself, that He has ordained, arranged, or permitted everything about us, everything that happens to us with a view to this union?
Abandonment to Divine Providence
by
Jean-Pierre de Caussade
Peace
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Annie
Guest
@DisorientingSneeze
Complaining just to vent is not in the spirit of offering it up, but one thing I am learning, for both of you, is how important it is to ask for help from others!
If you are complaining, or doing a lot for the sake of others, it is not right to take the opportunity from others to help or to offer something up.
Complaining often means there is something wrong, and the something wrong should definitely be addressed before it becomes a real problem.
DS, if you and your husband are both working and getting up around the same time, don’t offer up all the night-time baby care for the sake of your husband. You are depriving him of the chance to care for the baby, to offer something up (perhaps for you!), and you run the risk of burning yourself put so that he will have to take care of both of you.
BTDT!!!
Complaining just to vent is not in the spirit of offering it up, but one thing I am learning, for both of you, is how important it is to ask for help from others!
If you are complaining, or doing a lot for the sake of others, it is not right to take the opportunity from others to help or to offer something up.
Complaining often means there is something wrong, and the something wrong should definitely be addressed before it becomes a real problem.
DS, if you and your husband are both working and getting up around the same time, don’t offer up all the night-time baby care for the sake of your husband. You are depriving him of the chance to care for the baby, to offer something up (perhaps for you!), and you run the risk of burning yourself put so that he will have to take care of both of you.
BTDT!!!
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DisorientingSneeze
Guest
This is the first baby I have been able to stay home with so I feel like the bulk of nighttime care that makes you foggy in the day should fall on me compared to the first three when we both worked outside the home. You may be right about depriving him of the opportunity. I’ll have to think about that, but the act of waking him up takes so much effort the baby is fighting mad by then.
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Annie
Guest
Don’t give up something that makes feeding your family more difficult: give up desserts as a family, and have mac n cheese with vegs or tuna sandwiches and tomato soup on Fridays. No desserts means one less thing to think about rather than complicating the menu.
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Bluebright
Guest
Sounds like you Lent is working very well to me. Plenty of sacrifice to me…just makes sure you offer all that hardship to God.
In this country we have meatless Fridays all year, imagine what fun that is. Actually you get used to it, lol. Maybe you could try some sort of slow cooker thing, put it all in to cook in the morning and it’s ready when you get home? veggy stew, veggy soup etc.
Good on you trusting in God, that’s likely what he wants for Lent for you. You can always spend some time in Autumn sitting back and thinking on you life’s direction/relationship to Jesus, maybe try one of those retreat at home books.
In this country we have meatless Fridays all year, imagine what fun that is. Actually you get used to it, lol. Maybe you could try some sort of slow cooker thing, put it all in to cook in the morning and it’s ready when you get home? veggy stew, veggy soup etc.
Good on you trusting in God, that’s likely what he wants for Lent for you. You can always spend some time in Autumn sitting back and thinking on you life’s direction/relationship to Jesus, maybe try one of those retreat at home books.
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Peeps
Guest
Desserts? I don’t make desserts.
I made a pie last week on Pie Day (3/14). My husband helped. But as a rule, we eat candy bars and go out for ice cream when we want sweets. Every once in a while, I’ll make a batch of cookies, but it’s not wise because we eat them all in one sitting.
I made a pie last week on Pie Day (3/14). My husband helped. But as a rule, we eat candy bars and go out for ice cream when we want sweets. Every once in a while, I’ll make a batch of cookies, but it’s not wise because we eat them all in one sitting.
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Annie
Guest
That is a different situation. I just used to have a terrible tendency to take care of everything myself and not to ask for help, and that turns out to have caused a lot of problems where I tried to reduce problems
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fin
Guest
I dunno…for some it is like Lent everyday of their lives. And it is not even the obvious ones like having no food or shelter, abuse, etc. Sometimes it is someone who seems to be okay and doing so so, but the intensity of interior sufferings is great, somethinf other people do not know about.
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