Falling Behind

[Quaere_Verum]

I love my Catholic faith and find I can never get enough when it comes to studying the faith. I read, participate in education classes, participate in prayers groups, etc. I have friends and family who have opportunities to attend classes, workshops, Tridentine Masses, etc., and I’m happy for them but get so frustrated that I can’t do the same. I feel I’m falling behind them in knowledge and feel less and less like I am able to participate in discussions with them. God has given me a beautfiful vocation as a wife and mother, so time & money are a factor when it comes to buying materials or attending ongoing classes, etc.

Maybe somebody can help me with a prayer, advice, or similar story to share.

 

[pray4peace]

God understands that your vocation is being a good wife and mother, which means giving them your love and time. When we live our vocation according to His will this pleases God. You will have plenty of time for classes and workshops later on when children are older, or on their own, right now they need you . I would focus on family, prayer, and praising God.

Blessings

 

[puzzleannie]

I I have friends and family who have opportunities to attend classes, workshops, Tridentine Masses, etc., and I’m happy for them but get so frustrated that I can’t do the same. I feel I’m falling behind them in knowledge and feel less and less like I am able to participate in discussions with them. God has given me a beautfiful vocation as a wife and mother, so time & money are a factor when it comes to buying materials or attending ongoing classes, etc.
.

what falling behind? is there some contest going on? will you get a free dinner or free laptop if you take a course before your friend does?
get out of the habit right know of comparing your own spirituality, prayerlife, devotional life, knowledge of the faith with that of anyone else. It is one of the most dangerous habits beginners in the spiritual life can contract. Time and money are NEVER factors in spiritual growth. Those are excuses, not reasons for not pursuing a course of study, bible study, or spiritual reading.

the great spiritual classics are all available free on line, as are guides to every Catholic devotion you can imagine

the entire bible is available on line, and all church documents and papal teachings. My brother says he can happily find enough material in the works of our late dear pope for spiritual reading to last a lifetime–and all free online.

look in the scripture forum for dozens of links to good reliable bible studies on line

all this is really beside the point. the attitude you are combatting is a kind of spiritual jealously and envy, every bid as deadly as the material kinds, and your confessor is the person to help you here.

if you think you are being called to undertake an apostolate or ministry, course of study, retreat etc. or other commitment, which would infringe on your proper duty owed to your family and job, and current church commitments, that is a sign that the call is not genuine and comes from other motives. I don’t mean it is a good think to allow family duties to become an excuse, which is easy to do.

 

[Quaere_Verum]

God understands that your vocation is being a good wife and mother, which means giving them your love and time. When we live our vocation according to His will this pleases God. You will have plenty of time for classes and workshops later on when children are older, or on their own, right now they need you . I would focus on family, prayer, and praising God.

Blessings

Thank you for your kind response pray4peace. Maybe it’s a type of midlife crises or something because I’ve never felt this before. You’re so right. I will continue to focus on family, prayer, and praising God until a later time when and if God calls be in a different direction. In the mean time I will be sincerely happy for others who have these educational opportunities.

 

[Quaere_Verum]

puzzleannie] get out of the habit right know of comparing your own spirituality, prayerlife, devotional life, knowledge of the faith with that of anyone else. It is one of the most dangerous habits beginners in the spiritual life can contract

That’s quite an assumption puzzleannie, that because I am experiencing spiritual jealousy as you call it I must be a beginner in the spiritual life. Yes, spiritual envy is no different than any other form of envy, but I would think that awareness of this as a problem along with prayer, regular reception of the sacraments, and mortification I am taking the correct steps to combatting this.

if you think you are being called to undertake an apostolate or ministry, course of study, retreat etc. or other commitment, which would infringe on your proper duty owed to your family and job, and current church commitments, that is a sign that the call is not genuine and comes from other motives.

You are right about this.

 

[Lisa_M]

*Hi Quaere Verum,

It is difficult at times juggling family, duties in, around and about the home, and all those fun things that make us Mum’s so important. I’ve been there, and what a beautiful ministry this is to be called to do! I’ve been reminded that “feed the hungry” doesn’t always mean working in a foreign land but can also mean ministering to those in your care. So, enjoy this Blessed Ministry while it lasts - it is much shorter than you can imagine!

One thing that keeps me grounded in my faith when life seems to overwhelm me is praying the Liturgy of the Hours. I may not always get the “hour” thing right, but this gives me time to meditate on the Psalms and precious time with the Lord! You can get the right “day” online at St. Thomas More House of Prayer, www.liturgyofthehours.org. Another thing I’ve tried is the “Online Retreat for Everyday Life” sponsored by Creighton University. www.creighton.edu It is a very simple retreat that one can do while doing normal everyday things while centering on our life with God. I’ve downloaded the weekly exercises and played them on CD at home and in the car, and it is always a nice way to end my day with my journal of all the thoughts that I’ve had through the day.

Just some thoughts and suggestions - I hope they help!

Please don’t get overwhelmed and feel that you need to do all things all the time! Our Father knows where you are in your life, and is leading you exactly where He needs you to be! Smile at that thought! And know that I shall pray for you and for your family!!

God Bless!
Lisa*

 

[Ramalama]

I have a problem that I need the approval of others. I’m in RCIA and I’m about to burst because there is little opportunity to show how smart/educated/holy I am. I get into this when I compare myself to others.

But, I do have some growth. Now I sometimes remember my mission isn’t to please others. My mission is to please God.

Who are you trying to please?

 

[jc-servant]

I love my Catholic faith and find I can never get enough when it comes to studying the faith. I read, participate in education classes, participate in prayers groups, etc. I have friends and family who have opportunities to attend classes, workshops, Tridentine Masses, etc., and I’m happy for them but get so frustrated that I can’t do the same. I feel I’m falling behind them in knowledge and feel less and less like I am able to participate in discussions with them. God has given me a beautfiful vocation as a wife and mother, so time & money are a factor when it comes to buying materials or attending ongoing classes, etc.

Maybe somebody can help me with a prayer, advice, or similar story to share.

Maybe it is your turn for your friends to “feed” your faith rather than you being out front or even in the same place? If they have knowledge about something that you are lacking, then what a great opportunity to let them teach you something and maybe loan you the book where they learned it. Try to receive in love as well as you give in love. I know personally that it is much harder for me to receive than to give.

I went though a great spiritual renewal process through my parish. We had women who were in all stages of life together on our team meeting weekly for 6 months. Each of us had gifts that the others needed no matter if we were newly minted Catholics, lifelong Catholics, married, single, etc. We were all at various financial levels as well. Some people could not afford to buy a t-shirt while others generously chipped in for all sorts of things to further the ministry and to help their “sisters” to participate fully. No one made a big deal about it or did anything to gain attention for themselves. However, part of our learning and growth process was to get to the point where we could let go and let our sisters help us. For some of us it was a struggle to say to the Lord that we needed help in some area, so asking another human was extremely difficult.

We still keep in touch and support each other and share info and try to meet at least monthly for some study and fellowship. If one of us has not read the reading for the month, she comes anyway and learns from her sisters. We have a few ladies with very young babies who cannot always keep up or attend, but they are valued and loved just as much as someone who always reads and brings snacks, etc. I imagine that your friends love seeing you even if you just provide hugs and smiles instead of gems of wisdom!