You are being scrupulous. Unless your family is being deprived of needs because of that purchase then there is nothing wrong or sinful (directly or indirectly) with that.
It’s okay Robert, everyone makes mistakes, we are all human. :hug1:
Thanks for the comforting thoughts, but I feel that I’m in communion with God and that He really wants me to live modestly, even though I could afford it. Talking to a priest is something I should do, but I have to wonder how differently two priests may be in their answers. I tend to think that my communication with God takes president over what a single priest would have to say. I really don’t feel miserable living modestly, and I think I would continue to live this way regardless.
There is nothing wrong about living modestly as long as you don’t get it into your head that is required and sinful if you don’t.
Fair answer.
Those with scrupulosity are advised to have a regular confessor. Two priests may be different in their answers because they don’t know you well enough. That is why one priest is a good idea, in my opinion: he can have a good idea for how you think, what bothers you, and can judge well in your case. That one priest will better understand you, and can give you a better judgement than several who don’t know you that well.
Maybe living modestly is a hint from God to a certain vocation, for example a monk. But I’d pray and meditate on it and talk to some priests.
Is it all about modest living, or could it be that your guilty feelings are triggered by buyer’s remorse unrelated to morality? Do you feel satisfied with your selection of products? Are you satisfied that the price you paid is in line with the product quality? Were you pressured into buying it? Did you buy it on credit and may have trouble making the payments? Is this the first time you have spent so much money on anything?
This is a trap from the enemy. No person is his own best advisor. We will tend to have our own biases which will prevent us from seeing things objectively. Even the holy people in the Scriptures were given other people to advise them. The Pope has his own spiritual director. The saints had directors to guide them.
I like what Ruthie says here. Is it something that can be used for the Glory of God…How much does a Cathedral Cost???Robert, why did you buy it?
If it was to show off - “Hey, everybody, look at the top-of-the-line system I just bought!” - then you should think about it.
If it was because, like me, you have a “fine ear,” and are pained by low quality audio and get joy from good audio, then I think you can forgive yourself. Especially if you listen to sacred music a lot, and share it with your friends. You never know what will open a door.
Handel’s Messiah helped me on my way to Christianity… I still listen to it more often than most of my other music. And this bit of Vivaldi’s Gloria (RV589) can really energize me.
These passages suggest that we are not required to impoverish ourselves, or deny all pleasure, but rather to seek balance and moderation. You have a strong desire to be virtuous, and so I think you might like to read the whole section on the virtues, 1803-1845 in the Catechism.
(I added the bold emphasis) Suggested reading about moral conscience: 1776-1802 in the Catechism.
