Doing good works without joy

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goodcatholic

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So you are volunteering at the Parish Church as well as for charities to help the poor. All up 4 days times 2hours for each day, 8 hours a week.
But you are doing it with a sense of duty. You feel proud of your generosity towards the poor. You are glad you are not like those wretched souls. You are hoping this puts you in better stead with God and Jesus Christ. You suspect you might not quite be loving your neighbour exactly as the gospel says but no one can argue that you aren’t pulling your weight. And your family and partner are very proud of your efforts. You are pleased with your reputation with friends and family.
Is it better to be doing no good works at all, than to have an attitude like this?
 
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Who is this person. You? Or are you watching someone else do it?
 
I think it is a wonderful thing that you do (doing good work in your parish).

The only thing I would caution you would be the last sentence. I hope it is not, otherwise it’s a tell tale sign that you have begun to do all that for yourself instead of for the Lord.

When we start worrying about our reputation, we can easily get sidetracked. Put a check on that, and I think you are just doing great.

God bless.
 
We all need to be careful of confusing being “busy” with being good Christians. If you’re married your vocation ought to be your priority- let that lead your choices of how you donate your time outside the context of your marital relationship. If not, have a serious heart-to-heart with the Lord and a trusted Catholic priest. Sometimes we cannot see our own situations objectively. You could be getting burned out and have no idea. Or, you could be right where you ought to be. There’s no shame in dialing back your efforts to refocus and direct your charisms and energies. Maybe a retreat could help?
 
You may as well know now, that it is not me. I don’t volunteer. I made this up as a hypothetical. But your answer should be the same. I don’t want people to hold back anyway.
I agree that when we are motivated by what others think of us, we are way off track.
 
Ok, noted. Make it a ‘general you’ then. The answer to the question is still the same.

Just my two cents.

God bless.
 
I actually have the totally opposite problem. I’m contemplative and introverted by nature. I could literally sit with a book or Scripture most of the day. I have to remember I’ve got a body to use!
 
As a Catholic do you feel an obligation to do good works?
 
In some ways yes. Obligation can be a sticky word for some people. I’m definitely compelled to do good out of a love for Christ and a desire to imitate Him, as well as knowing how badly He wants us to help lift up this broken world. As with most things, some days are better than others!
 
I am more like you in nature. That is, I prefer to read scripture and pray than do volunteer work. I guess my reason for starting this thread is a sense of guilt. Those of us who tend not to volunteer at our parish or get involved with charities. Can we justify that? Is prayer and contemplation a reasonable substitute for good works?
 
I totally understand where you’re coming from. I’m married and have kids so most of my “work” is within the 4 walls of my own home. There’s plenty of charity and voluntary things I can do for my wife and kids. Beyond that I did help to start a men’s group at my parish and I try to help with that as much as I can. My dad is a KofC, always has been, and he does a lot with them and other stuff. But he’s retired and has more time, and in a lot of ways we’re polar opposites. I would love to do more, but it’s just not a good time in my life for it.

Prayer is, in my opinion, the most important work we can do. And I think, if we’re graced with some nuggets of wisdom or understanding we ought to share them when appropriate. However, I think a truly devout prayer life leads to action, but the Lord uses us in ways only we can be used, and that might not always be within your parish. As a contemplative-leaning person I try hard to notice when God is asking me to do something.
 
RKS89 said:
Prayer is, in my opinion, the most important work we can do.
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I like your assertion. I will get around to doing some good works at a parish level. I’ll be aiming for quality over quantity. 🙂
You have a better excuse being a family man. I have no kids.
 
It can be just easy to just go through the motions where my kids and wife are concerned. Especially with work and bills, and I have a pretty difficult work schedule. No matter where we are in life it’s a challenge to strike the right balance. Good luck!
 
Volunteering at Church with a joyful heart, reaps the best rewards. Your volunteering for God.
 
I think prayer and contemplation, while being excellent, is not enough, unless that is all a person literally can do.
 
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As a wife, there are times when I do not like my husband. As a mother, there are times when I do not like my children. As an employee, there are times when I do not like my boss. I continue to love and serve them out of duty.

It is very easy to do good and loving things for people when I like them.
 
goodcatholic said:
Can we justify that? Is prayer and contemplation a reasonable substitute for good works?
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You asked interesting questions!
I’m not sure what the correct approach should be.
Usually when I get a hard question I use thought experiments and look at extreme cases and test out where we really stand.
My thoughts so far:
Perhaps conscience and individual circumstance plays a role?
Eg someone who is disabled can’t physically do some of the volunteer work. So obviously that’s ok.
Eg someone who is very good at say singing and has time to join the choir and doesn’t have any other reasons for not joining and the choir needs people YET deliberately refuses to help. Surely that’s not ok.
So the answer probably lies somewhere in the middle?
Sorry I’m still brainstorming.
 
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