God’s “Math” is not our “Math” - CONFUSED

[jofa]

I had once told a friend how despite my prayers and sufferings I was sure it would never cover the sins I fell into daily (at the time I had been struggling with angry outbursts and the accompanying “four-letter words”), and so was despairing of growing in holiness.
She replied that “God’s math isn’t the same as our math”. In other words, we cannot assume “this sin” can be made-up for or cancelled out by “this good work” or “these prayers/sacrifices”, etc…
I don’t know if I’m explaining that conversation well, but her words struck me as very wise.

Now I’m wondering if the same wisdom applies to prayer intentions.

Perhaps it’s my math/science brain, but I always get anxious that if I pray a rosary, etc., and list several intentions that that will somehow divide the graces into wee little amounts for each intention, whereas praying it for a single intention would be more efficacious for a particular intention. In fact, that concept has been implied by some priests I’ve heard as well. For example, there’s the recent request that Catholics pray the 54 day Rosary Novena for the coming election and end to violence by video by two priests. They specified (if I recall correctly) to only include those two intentions in the Novena…
Why? Is it more powerful that way?

Anyway, you can see why I’m a bit confused. As I know of no authoritative Church teaching on the matter I assume all I can hope for are opinions - but I pray I can discern wisdom in some of the feedback, God willing!

Thank you all in advance!
- Flummoxed

 

[SPBlitz]

Anyway, you can see why I’m a bit confused. As I know of no authoritative Church teaching on the matter I assume all I can hope for are opinions - but I pray I can discern wisdom in some of the feedback, God willing!

To be honest, I think you might be approaching this the wrong way. You shouldn’t view prayer as a formula or a recipe that if you follow perfectly will somehow compel God to answer your prayer in the affirmative. The best model of prayer we have is Jesus in the garden, “Not my will but yours be done”. That’s the mindset we should be in - we should be equally content with a ‘no’ or a ‘yes’ because either way we should trust that Gods will be done.

All the worry about dividing grace between intentions, or saying the words perfectly - while understandable - is misleading and misses the point of prayer.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

To be fair, there is more than one way of thinking, even among people.
Some folks are very artsy and see the universe in its beauty.
Other people are more scientific and see the universe as atoms and physical properties.
Neither is “wrong”, just simply different.

So why does an omnipotent God have to see the world just like us?

Relax, draw closer to Him, give your best effort and don’t worry.

 

[Vico]

…
I always get anxious that if I pray a rosary, etc., and list several intentions that that will somehow divide the graces into wee little amounts for each intention, whereas praying it for a single intention would be more efficacious for a particular intention. …

If your intention is to obtain a plenary or partial indulgence, then the Church adds to whatever merit the indulgenced act brings.

There are four general indulgences, available to a Catholic in the state of grace, by the way:

1. Raising the mind to God with humble trust while performing one’s duties and bearing life’s difficulties, and adding, at least mentally, some pious invocation.
2. Devoting oneself or one’s goods compassionately in a spirit of faith to the service of one’s brothers and sisters in need.
3. Freely abstaining in a spirit of penance from something licit and pleasant.
4. Freely giving open witness to one’s faith before others in particular circumstances of everyday life.

From Indulgentiarum Doctrina:

Since by their acts the faithful can obtain, in addition to the merit which is the principal fruit of the act, a further remission of temporal punishment in proportion to the degree to which the charity of the one performing the act is greater, and in proportion to the degree to which the act itself is performed in a more perfect way, it has been considered fitting that this remission of temporal punishment which the Christian faithful acquire through an action should serve as the measurement for the remission of punishment which the ecclesiastical authority bountifully adds by way of partial indulgence.

http://www.vatican.va/content/paul-...-vi_apc_01011967_indulgentiarum-doctrina.html

 

[jofa]

Thanks y’all.
Still welcome continued (name removed by moderator)ut from members

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

I personally believe God may add - but he definitely multiplies. He also doesn’t subtract or divide.

 

[Beryllos]

It’s like the mathematics of parental love. When a new child comes into the family, there is more love, not less.

Grace is like that. It is not an equation to be balanced. Saint Paul wrote, in Romans 5:20, “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” That’s not our usual human response.

 

[zgraf2]

"God’s math isn’t the same as our math” ?

Can think of two images from the New Testament that might apply…

First is the parable of the landowner (Mt 20). As you probably know, in this story the master of the estate pays out the same daily wage to those servants who arrive late-in-the-day as he does to those who arrive early and endure the many hours of heat and exhaustion working all day long. This may not seem equitable, but God’s generosity is not to be questioned…

And then there is the repentant thief dying with Jesus on the cross (Luke 23:42): “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom”, he begs. Christ assures him with the beautiful words: “This day you shall be with me in paradise”.

Some might think this individual is a criminal who deserves punishment. But the Lord looks into the heart, and knows when one is ready to receive forgiveness and salvation. God’s ways are not our ways.

Peace to you!

 

[jofa]

Thank you