If diligence is a virtue?

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stewiegriffin

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Then why do some pastors say it would’ve been better if you were in a ministry as a pastor or a priest rather than working in a secular job?
 
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I don’t understand the question. When you say a ministry, do you mean something at church like serving as a lector at Mass? How does that relate to having a secular job? You need to support yourself.

Or do you mean full-time ministry like a priest? Whether that’s better would depend on whether that’s where God is calling you. If you have a vocation to the priesthood or religious life then, yes, that’s the best thing you could do.

And how does any of it relate to diligence?

Could you explain more?
 
Yes. They just have to preach the gospel…sometimes they twist it in whatever way they like. Where the heaven is there diligence?
 
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“Just have to preach the gospel?” Yeah, because
  1. that’s all we do
    And
  2. that’s not all that hard and requires no time or energy or formation.
I think you misunderstand what ministry is all about.

-Fr ACEGC
 
Being a good priest or minister is a full time job and a lot of work. It doesn’t end on Sundays.
 
Also I question whether there really are priests saying that it is “better” for you to be a priest than have a secular job.
 
That has nothing to do with diligence, one way or the other. You can be diligent (or not) in a secular job. You can be diligent (or not) as a priest.
 
stewiegriffin said:
Then why do some pastors say it would’ve been better if you were in a ministry as a pastor or a priest rather than working in a secular job?
Click to expand...
I have never heard a priest say that. And I am sure I am way older than you, OP.
 
stewiegriffin said:
Then why do some pastors say it would’ve been better if you were in a ministry as a pastor or a priest rather than working in a secular job?
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If that is your response, it is highly unlikely they were talking to your present mindset.

As for “diligence,” the answer is: No, perseverance is not a catch-all virtue. There is nothing inherently virtuous about sticking with some toil or other on a diligent basis, just for the sake of being diligent, but only in diligence in doing what has eternal value. That certainly has to include some pursuits some of us would deem “secular,” because they belong to the work that even non-religious people do, but by no means does it include any and all secular pursuits that are not morally forbidden. There is such a thing as far too much of a necessary thing.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deluding himself. Each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast with regard to himself alone, and not with regard to someone else; for each will bear his own load.

One who is being instructed in the word should share all good things with his instructor. Make no mistake: God is not mocked, for a person will reap only what he sows, because the one who sows for his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows for the spirit will reap eternal life from the spirit.

Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, but especially to those who belong to the family of the faith. (Gal. 6:2-10)

St. Paul was apparently a very hard worker himself, but he always kept his eye on the end for which he worked. That is the main thing.

Having said all that, I agree with those who point out that ministry is not something everyone is called to do and therefore cannot be the “better” choice for each and every person. That is a matter of discernment. In my experience, those who answer that call work very long hours, indeed. Whenever I have asked the wives of deacons (whose husbands are in positions such as pastoral associates), they have said that the life of a pastor (that is, a priest) would not be compatible with maintaining a balanced family life with small children. They believe there wouldn’t be enough hours in the day to meet all the demands on the man who was both a parish priest and also a husband and the father of small children. They think it is a good idea for even the permanent diaconate to be kept for men whose children are older.
 
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edward_george1 said:
“Just have to preach the gospel?” Yeah, because
  1. that’s all we do
    And
  2. that’s not all that hard and requires no time or energy or formation.
I think you misunderstand what ministry is all about.

-Fr ACEGC
Click to expand...
I’m with Father Batman on this.
 
stewiegriffin said:
Yes. They just have to preach the gospel…sometimes they twist it in whatever way they like. Where the heaven is there diligence?
Click to expand...
You have a serious misunderstanding of what is involved in being in a ministry.
 
Hmmm, maybe you should ask St. Paul that question as you infer that someone does not have to be diligent to preach the Gospel. 🤔
 
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