How do you live for Christ without desiring material goods?

[ResoluteSheep]

Reading the lives of certain Saints like St. Francis of Assisi, I was really amazed at how they could literally give up everything for the sake of the Gospel. Like, St. Francis gave up all his riches just to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. How were they able to commit to this？For me I would still want a bit of relaxation in my life, but it’s probably just me being too attached to this world still

 

[CRATUS]

Reading the lives of certain Saints like St. Francis of Assisi, I was really amazed at how they could literally give up everything for the sake of the Gospel. Like, St. Francis gave up all his riches just to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. How were they able to commit to this？For me I would still want a bit of relaxation in my life, but it’s probably just me being too attached to this world still

Assissi lived his life to the extreme. Although he led an exemplary life. He is not be emulated in every way. You don’t have to deprive yourself of all earthly pleasures. Don’t be dependent.

 

[dshix]

Reading the lives of certain Saints like St. Francis of Assisi, I was really amazed at how they could literally give up everything for the sake of the Gospel. Like, St. Francis gave up all his riches just to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. How were they able to commit to this？For me I would still want a bit of relaxation in my life, but it’s probably just me being too attached to this world still

It’s an incremental process. No one can go from modern life to “St Francis mode” overnight.

Mortification (the act of giving up legitimate goods or comforts for love of God) is something that most people don’t practice at all, and it is a virtue which must be practiced for a long time before it can reach perfection.

If you want to imitate St. Francis, start with small things.

Maybe you could observe an old church custom and fast on the Vigil days before great feast days.
Perhaps abstain from meat on a second day of the week, in addition to Friday.
Consider the activities that you enjoy the most in your life, and perhaps you could deny yourself that pleasure on certain days of the week, and replace it with spiritual reading or just prayer.

Little things like these are actually pretty hard when you start off. It gets easier over time, especially if you make a habit, such as (“I will give up all TV and movie watching on Wednesday and Friday of every week”)

The possibilities are endless. Examine yourself, find the things that would be painful to give up, and find opportunities to sacrifice those for the love of God.

 

[Bookcat]

Different vocations!

 

[Rbaker]

It’s an incremental process. No one can go from modern life to “St Francis mode” overnight.

Mortification (the act of giving up legitimate goods or comforts for love of God) is something that most people don’t practice at all, and it is a virtue which must be practiced for a long time before it can reach perfection.

If you want to imitate St. Francis, start with small things.

Maybe you could observe an old church custom and fast on the Vigil days before great feast days.
Perhaps abstain from meat on a second day of the week, in addition to Friday.
Consider the activities that you enjoy the most in your life, and perhaps you could deny yourself that pleasure on certain days of the week, and replace it with spiritual reading or just prayer.

Little things like these are actually pretty hard when you start off. It gets easier over time, especially if you make a habit, such as (“I will give up all TV and movie watching on Wednesday and Friday of every week”)

The possibilities are endless. Examine yourself, find the things that would be painful to give up, and find opportunities to sacrifice those for the love of God.

1000% yes! I really like this explanation. I think people many people genuinely want to change their lives, but they think they have to change everything. Giving up all your material desires all at once is like trying to become a professional baseball player without practicing.

Your ideas for ways to “take up our cross” are also really good. Well done!

 

[dshix]

1000% yes! I really like this explanation. I think people many people genuinely want to change their lives, but they think they have to change everything. Giving up all your material desires all at once is like trying to become a professional baseball player without practicing.

Your ideas for ways to “take up our cross” are also really good. Well done!

Thank you. No credit to myself; I’ve profited much from some very good teachers.

 

[LPS]

Reading the lives of certain Saints like St. Francis of Assisi, I was really amazed at how they could literally give up everything for the sake of the Gospel. Like, St. Francis gave up all his riches just to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. How were they able to commit to this？For me I would still want a bit of relaxation in my life, but it’s probably just me being too attached to this world still

Jesus also enjoyed relaxation - the wedding feast at Cana, for example.

I would highly recommend that you begin by cultivating a good prayer life and taking part in daily mass as often as possible. Is Eucharistic Adoration available to you?

I think that the more we do this, the more the path He desires for us becomes more clear. If He is calling you to follow St. Francis more closely, He will equip you! But perhaps you will gradually come to understand that He is asking something different of you.

He is a patient and persistent teacher; enjoy your pilgrimage!

 

[pianistclare]

It;s the OBSESSIVE and OVER THE TOP desire for worldly things that gets us in trouble.
It’s not wrong to want a car that runs to get us to work.

Even thought St. Francis didn’t care, St. Clare kept mending his tunic, and sewing him sandals .

 

[PraiseChrist]

St Francis of Assisi also said, “First do what is necessary, then what is possible, and soon you’ll see yourself doing the impossible”. Before anything else, make sure you are doing what you must: praying, Christian meditation receiving the sacraments, doing your duties, ect.

Then you move onto less important things, like extra prayer, small mortifications, ect. After a while, you’ll move high into sanctification, just like St Francis.
Also, don’t think that it’s impossible. St Francis also, again, said “If God can work through me, he can work through anyone.”, meaning that anyone can love God like he did

 

[PureChaos]

Reading the lives of certain Saints like St. Francis of Assisi, I was really amazed at how they could literally give up everything for the sake of the Gospel. Like, St. Francis gave up all his riches just to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. How were they able to commit to this？For me I would still want a bit of relaxation in my life, but it’s probably just me being too attached to this world still

I think it’s much more difficult in our current times to be detached from all worldly things or even give them up entirely ( such as those do who enter cloisters ) , because we have so many modern conveniences that allow us more time to relax, plus entertainments and things that draw our attention (tv, computers, phones, games, etc.), Not to say it’s impossible, just harder, we grow up so accustomed to these things, plus it seems most people nowadays are raised to believe suffering is not necessary or that it’s even not good to suffer willfully for Christ or others…but as others have said, being detached does not mean giving up material possessions, it means to not have our hearts set on them, to not be willing to sin to have something we want, or to put that thing before God, by letting it get in the way of our devotions, or take up too much of our time, there are many other ways we can be materialistic, but giving up everything and living as St. Francis did is not necessary for pleasing God or gaining heaven, we are all called to a different vocation or state in life, and they are all pleasing to God as long as they are lived out virtuously and with Him as our goal.

 

[1pppp]

Down load the Free. Book “walking in the spirit” by Dave Roberson. If u want to develop spiritually . praying in the holy ghost. Praying in tongues does mortify the flesh. I have met hundreds of people who have used this scriptural method. And franklin hall. Book the atomic power of fasting

 

[PureChaos]

Praying in tongues does mortify the flesh.

Please read this article - catholicapologetics.info/modernproblems/currenterrors/pentcsl.htm

i highly discourage this dangerous practice, it is not Catholic and not in the bible, what is in the bible is the gift of tongues, which the apostles were able to preach with to everyone of different nationalities and were heard by all in each of their own languages, and it was also granted to many other priests, though has diminished over the years, to the point of being gone altogether in our time, the last person who had this gift that i am aware of was St. Padre Pio.
i know it is a popular thing right now, this strange garbled “speaking in tongues” or “praying in tongues”, but in reality, it is a doorway to the demonic and you will not find it in any official Church teachings or in the bible.

but please read that article i provided, it covers everything you need to know concerning this subject.
take care.

 

[dshix]

Please read this article - catholicapologetics.info/modernproblems/currenterrors/pentcsl.htm

i highly discourage this dangerous practice, it is not Catholic and not in the bible, what is in the bible is the gift of tongues, which the apostles were able to preach with to everyone of different nationalities and were heard by all in each of their own languages, and it was also granted to many other priests, though has diminished over the years, to the point of being gone altogether in our time, the last person who had this gift that i am aware of was St. Padre Pio.
i know it is a popular thing right now, this strange garbled “speaking in tongues” or “praying in tongues”, but in reality, it is a doorway to the demonic and you will not find it in any official Church teachings or in the bible.

but please read that article i provided, it covers everything you need to know concerning this subject.
take care.

 

[Katherine438]

Reading the lives of certain Saints like St. Francis of Assisi, I was really amazed at how they could literally give up everything for the sake of the Gospel. Like, St. Francis gave up all his riches just to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. How were they able to commit to this？For me I would still want a bit of relaxation in my life, but it’s probably just me being too attached to this world still

That’s why they are Saints … we are not all meant to be saints … we do the best we can and our Lord’s mercy is important for the things we simply can’t accomplish. Believe in our Lord’s Mercy for our imperfections, and do the best you can … that is what I think God expects from us. Of course if you are drawn to the religious life, that is a gift from God, and you should accept it.

 

[fred_conty]

Reading the lives of certain Saints like St. Francis of Assisi, I was really amazed at how they could literally give up everything for the sake of the Gospel. Like, St. Francis gave up all his riches just to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. How were they able to commit to this？For me I would still want a bit of relaxation in my life, but it’s probably just me being too attached to this world still

Jesus told us about the sower and his seed…some seed fell on good ground, and produced 100 fold, some 60 fold, and some 30 fold.

It is what we decide to produce with God’s graces. St. Francis decided to produce 100 fold.
The important thing is to produce something… a good life is something.

 

[Rosebud77]

It’s an incremental process. No one can go from modern life to “St Francis mode” overnight.

**Mortification (the act of giving up legitimate goods or comforts for love of God) **is something that most people don’t practice at all, and it is a virtue which must be practiced for a long time before it can reach perfection.

If you want to imitate St. Francis, start with small things.

Maybe you could observe an old church custom and fast on the Vigil days before great feast days.
Perhaps abstain from meat on a second day of the week, in addition to Friday.
Consider the activities that you enjoy the most in your life, and perhaps you could deny yourself that pleasure on certain days of the week, and replace it with spiritual reading or just prayer.

Little things like these are actually pretty hard when you start off. It gets easier over time, especially if you make a habit, such as (“I will give up all TV and movie watching on Wednesday and Friday of every week”)

The possibilities are endless. Examine yourself, find the things that would be painful to give up, and find opportunities to sacrifice those for the love of God.

relinquishing anything for the love of God is a joy and an honour and a deeply fulfilling way to live. Not some kind of…punishment

 

[Rosebud77]

I think it’s much more difficult in our current times to be detached from all worldly things or even give them up entirely ( such as those do who enter cloisters ) , because we have so many modern conveniences that allow us more time to relax, plus entertainments and things that draw our attention (tv, computers, phones, games, etc.), Not to say it’s impossible, just harder, we grow up so accustomed to these things, plus it seems most people nowadays are raised to believe suffering is not necessary or that it’s even not good to suffer willfully for Christ or others…but as others have said, being detached does not mean giving up material possessions, it means to not have our hearts set on them, to not be willing to sin to have something we want, or to put that thing before God, by letting it get in the way of our devotions, or take up too much of our time, there are many other ways we can be materialistic, but giving up everything and living as St. Francis did is not necessary for pleasing God or gaining heaven, we are all called to a different vocation or state in life, and they are all pleasing to God as long as they are lived out virtuously and with Him as our goal.

You see living deep and full simplicity as suffering?

Why have more than you need?Makes no sense.

I had all but everything taken away from me in one breath many years ago and now live utterly simply from choice and in fulfilment. “Living simply so others may simply live” as anything I do nto need provides for others via my family.

Small computer that saves me petrol and travel time etc, small old car that gets me from a to b, came through disaster and then chosen and fostered. simple clothes and simple food,

no phone no TV etc… wonderfully freeing

Not done to"please God or gaining heaven" but because it makes sense in this world

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

Not desiring material goods probably won’t happen overnight. It didn’t happen just like that to St Francis either. The more we desire God and to do His will and to give our everythi to Him, the less we will desire other things. Also, it is not just our doing. When the time is right, He will pull us towards that and make it the most natural thing in the world. And prayer is always the first step we need to make.

 

[PureChaos]

You see living deep and full simplicity as suffering?

Why have more than you need?Makes no sense.

I had all but everything taken away from me in one breath many years ago and now live utterly simply from choice and in fulfilment. “Living simply so others may simply live” as anything I do nto need provides for others via my family.

Small computer that saves me petrol and travel time etc, small old car that gets me from a to b, came through disaster and then chosen and fostered. simple clothes and simple food,

no phone no TV etc… wonderfully freeing

Not done to"please God or gaining heaven" but because it makes sense in this world

No, I do not see that as suffering at all, I was speaking of the fact that most of society is raised to be accustomed to our modern technology and conveniences, and therefore it’s very difficult in our times to be detached from material things, but also much of society is raised to believe suffering is not necessary or not even good to suffer for Our Lord(Who suffered for us) and therefore the idea of detachment from worldly things can be very difficult for someone raised that way…

I also live a rather simple life, and I agree it is not a cause for suffering, it does bring me closer to God, due to less distractions.