"Good for nothing" Saints?

[blessedstar]

I just thought I’d say this and it isn’t meant in any way judgemental but it is a simple observation.

In many Parishes I have come across it does seem that people focus on doing good works which of course is a good thing, faith must manifest in good works, but I will say that if a good work is to be done then prayer must be the driving force of it.

I have seen people literally squabble over doing good works and be very unkind to other people in the course of doing these good works. I have seen people do good works to be seen by others to be doing those good works.

In Parish life jealousy is rife, position and standing is rife, gossip is rife, being territorial is rife, exclusion of others is rife, and sadly the good work is marred.

I think, and I speak also for myself here when I say this, that if we are to undertake good works, we must look at the ‘self’ more than the good works and more than others to preserve the purity of the good work we desire to offer to Jesus. Afterall it is no good to give a starving man a piece of bread if we throw it at him and have no kind word for him.

If we examine our conscience often, if we do all things prayerfully recalling we are constantly in the Presence of God hopefully we will then do our best when we try to do something to please Jesus.

In the Living Prayer of my life

 

[TOP]

Blessedstar,
The second half of your writings hits close to home. Being excluded for any reason hurts and makes you question what God has intended for you to really do. Thanks, Tim

 

[quiet52]

St. Peregrine I know. He has interceded for me in the past and as a cancer survivor myself, I’m sure he had to help me in the past. Four years ago today, Oct. 31, I got the call I was in remission. This was from a test result to get me ready for high dose chemo with stem cell transplant. If you had seen me then, you would know I would not have survived that extra chemo. Oct. 31 was the day I found out I was going to live. Thank you God, in His angels and in His Saints.

Praise be to God!

Thank you for sharing this, Top.

And no one is “good for nothing” – 'tis quite an achievement to get to heaven – and a sign that we’re using the gifts God gave us for something good. Thank you for sharing the gift of yourself.

 

[quiet52]

In many Parishes I have come across it does seem that people focus on doing good works which of course is a good thing, faith must manifest in good works, but I will say that if a good work is to be done then prayer must be the driving force of it.

If we examine our conscience often, if we do all things prayerfully recalling we are constantly in the Presence of God hopefully we will then do our best when we try to do something to please Jesus.

In the Living Prayer of my life

Amen, blessedstar.
I was just whining to someone in pm a while ago about how hard being a volunteer in the parish can be. My own limitations, and the obstacles others put before us (sometimes very uncharitable ones) can seem so hard to deal with sometimes, yet we know somehow God wants us to persevere. I have to really struggle to remain prayerful (and faithful) through the difficult times – remembering that it’s all for God – it’s all about His love and His Church, not about me.

 

[quiet52]

I just read an article on the Catholic Exchange site
“Celebrating All the Saints”
catholicexchange.com/node/66963

"We may look at the lives of the famous saints and think that we could never be like them, but there are as many paths to holiness as there are people on earth. "

 

[blessedstar]

Blessedstar,
The second half of your writings hits close to home. Being excluded for any reason hurts and makes you question what God has intended for you to really do. Thanks, Tim

God intends for His Children to work together to build up the Kingdom of God. There is no place for exclusion in that Kingdom and anyone who excludes others is not doing the will of God.

There is a place for everyone in the Parish to use their talents.

Tim, go ahead and do what you are called to do and don’t let the unkindness of well intended people put you off; forgive them and teach them by showing them every kindness and mercy.

Pray always and persevere.

In the Living Prayer of my life

 

[blessedstar]

Amen, blessedstar.
I was just whining to someone in pm a while ago about how hard being a volunteer in the parish can be. My own limitations, and the obstacles others put before us (sometimes very uncharitable ones) can seem so hard to deal with sometimes, yet we know somehow God wants us to persevere. I have to really struggle to remain prayerful (and faithful) through the difficult times – remembering that it’s all for God – it’s all about His love and His Church, not about me.

It is about you and God.

** People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

        If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

        If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

        If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

        What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

        If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

        The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

     Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

     In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

Mother Teresa.**

Persevere on and do your best regardless. Everything is between you and your Jesus.

In the Living Prayer of my life

 

[St_Gabriel]

Blessed Star, you make some very good points. I am sometimes amazed when I hear people bragging about the number of people that “they have” converted or how many missions they have gone on etc… Only God converts and they are only doing what the Lord asks of them but they seem to want all the credit.

Tim, sometimes what God asks us may seem small (like showing mercy) but in reality it may be great.

 

[quiet52]

It is about you and God.

** People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

        If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

        If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

        If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

        What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

        If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

        The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

     Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

     In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

Mother Teresa.**

Persevere on and do your best regardless. Everything is between you and your Jesus.

In the Living Prayer of my life

 

[quiet52]

QUOTE=blessedstar;2914025]It is about you and God.

** People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

        If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

        If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

        If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

        What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

        If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

        The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

     Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

     In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

Mother Teresa.**

Persevere on and do your best regardless. Everything is between you and your Jesus.

Amen
In the Living Prayer of my life

Amen blessed star.
These “paradoxical commandments,” also known as “Anyway” or “The Anyway Challenge,” were written by a 19-year-old student for his fellow student leaders. Amazing, yes?

This is often erroneously attributed to Blessed Mother Teresa, because it was found posted on one of her bulletin boards and it was assumed that she wrote them.

paradoxicalcommandments.com/