Is it better to do a good and difficult thing or just a good thing?

[fakename]

Is it better to do a good and difficult thing or just a good thing?

Because I like to pray before the sacrament everyday but if this is not practicable can I just say many prayers on one day and skip the next?

 

[eddadonkey]

+JMJ+

Which is better, buy your girl a bunch of roses from the flower shop down the street, or buy your girl a bunch of roses half a city away in the middle of the storm at night and balancing the vase which the roses are in inside your car while driving?

 

[Julia_Mae]

Is it better to do a good and difficult thing or just a good thing?

Because I like to pray before the sacrament everyday but if this is not practicable can I just say many prayers on one day and skip the next?

You are talking about prayer, which you say you like to do. This is between you and God. What do you want? What do you feel called to? The only mandated prayer is the Holy Mass.

I find if I don’t pray for a whole day I regret it. Outside of Mass, I would never ever say a single prayer because anyone thought I should, or pray in some way because it was “okay” or “not okay.” This is your personal dialogue with God. Your time with Him.

But if you look in Scripture you will see Jesus wasn’t a fan of “many” prayers. Just talk to your Father, pray in the car, say hello on the way to the coffee machine.

 

[John21652]

+JMJ+

Which is better, buy your girl a bunch of roses from the flower shop down the street, or buy your girl a bunch of roses half a city away in the middle of the storm at night and balancing the vase which the roses are in inside your car while driving?

Depends upon the quality of the roses. And maybe the girlfriend too. And why buy roses in a vase?

If two people are swept out to sea and one is further out than the other, which one do you save first? The one furtherest out is a better swimmer. The closest one would be the easiest.

The OP’s statement reeks of expediency.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

+JMJ+

Which is better, buy your girl a bunch of roses from the flower shop down the street, or buy your girl a bunch of roses half a city away in the middle of the storm at night and balancing the vase which the roses are in inside your car while driving?

dangerous driving…

 

[Dorothy]

You are talking about prayer, which you say you like to do. This is between you and God. What do you want? What do you feel called to? The only mandated prayer is the Holy Mass.

I find if I don’t pray for a whole day I regret it. Outside of Mass, I would never ever say a single prayer because anyone thought I should, or pray in some way because it was “okay” or “not okay.” This is your personal dialogue with God. Your time with Him.

But if you look in Scripture you will see Jesus wasn’t a fan of “many” prayers. Just talk to your Father, pray in the car, say hello on the way to the coffee machine.

Jesus isn’t a fan of many prayers that are said without the heart in them. The Rosary consists of many prayers; it is a meditation on the Gospel when said well.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, 100% Divine and 100% human, left the people around him to go on a mountaintop to pray to the Father. He did this many times in Scripture spending many hours in prayer.

Julia Mae, I understand what you are saying; I just wanted to make sure the others would not get the wrong impression by “Jesus wasn’t a fan of ‘many’ prayers.”

Peace in Him,

Dorothy

 

[JRKH]

Is it better to do a good and difficult thing or just a good thing?

Because I like to pray before the sacrament everyday but if this is not practicable can I just say many prayers on one day and skip the next?

You know - For some time now I have been disturbed over the number of threads on the boards that split hairs on the subject of sin…is it or isn’t it…is it mortal or venial…what if this…or what it that…I want to thank you for a thread that goes the other direction and asks what is better to do… I’d love to see more of these…:yup:

To your question is it better to do a good AND difficult thing…
I was just reading something in my favorite spiritual book (see my signature) that might fit here in answer to your question. It comes from St John of the Cross and, In the briefest summary, it says that man should not take joy in anything unless it serves God.
So how does this apply to your question? Like this…
You say that it is not practicable for you to pray before the blessed sacrament every day. So be it. So long as what you are doing also serves God. If this is so, then everything you do becomes prayer and is serving God.

That said, and just to toss out another concept…what constitutes “difficult” can shed light on your overall relationship. Is the difficulty in getting yourself to go, or is it in tearing yourself away from in front of the blessed sacrament?
It can certainly be said that there is greater spiritual benefit (grace) from doing something that is both good and difficult.
If we agree that “Good” is that which is properly ordered toward God in thought and action, and “Difficult” is some obstacle to that proper order, then we need to seek to overcome that obstacle to our spiritual journey.
Of course something being “difficult”, can be different than something being “practicable”. If the difficulty in getting to adoration is that you have to be at work, then the obvious (and loving) answer is that you need to go to work. This is not an obstacle but a grace, for in going to work, you fulfill the second great commandment of Loving neighbor as yourself and by doing so, you are Loving God above all.
Make sense???

hhmmmm

Peace
James

 

[fakename]

Of course something being “difficult”, can be different than something being “practicable”. If the difficulty in getting to adoration is that you have to be at work, then the obvious (and loving) answer is that you need to go to work. This is not an obstacle but a grace, for in going to work, you fulfill the second great commandment of Loving neighbor as yourself and by doing so, you are Loving God above all.
Make sense???

It’s more like this.

If I have people helping out with the gas money to drive to the sacrament, and if it should be too expensive, I think I’ll just go a couple of times a week instead of daily.

But I have a question which I’ve asked many a time before: if it’s good to love God through indirect ways (like loving your neighbor) then why isn’t it even better to love God by “cutting out the middle man” and going to the sacrament despite your obligations to others?

I know that obligations are obviously a matter of justice and morality but I want to ask “why?” if indeed, they are only indirect and roundabout to a more direct worship?

 

[JRKH]

It’s more like this.

If I have people helping out with the gas money to drive to the sacrament, and if it should be too expensive, I think I’ll just go a couple of times a week instead of daily.

But I have a question which I’ve asked many a time before: if it’s good to love God through indirect ways (like loving your neighbor) then why isn’t it even better to love God by “cutting out the middle man” and going to the sacrament despite your obligations to others?

I know that obligations are obviously a matter of justice and morality but I want to ask “why?” if indeed, they are only indirect and roundabout to a more direct worship?

In this, there is no “middle man” in the sense that our neighbor is an obstacle to God, or that Loving our neighbor detracts in any way from our Love for God.

Note: Mt 25:40…
“* 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.*”…
This entire passage of Mt 25:31-46 - relating to the judgement - Speaks to the centrality of loving our neighbor as a very direct way of Loving God.

In truth we, limited Creatures that we are, cannot Love God in the manner or to the extent that God deserves. So what are we to do? God has an answer. We love God best when we Love our neighbor as our self - for the Love of God.
Let us consider the situation as you describe it.
If your neighbor is burdened in some way (financial or otherwise) through trying to see that you get to adoration daily, then you should seek his relief by adjusting either your means of transport, or you schedule. In short, just as we do not wish another to be a burden to us, so should we not be a burden to another. Conversely, Just as we wish for our neighbor to be available to us, so we should be available to our neighbor.
By this means we do not worship God in any indirect way, but indeed we worship him in a most direct and beautiful way.

Peace
James

 

[Julia_Mae]

Julia Mae, I understand what you are saying; I just wanted to make sure the others would not get the wrong impression by “Jesus wasn’t a fan of ‘many’ prayers.”

Peace in Him,

Dorothy

Thank you, Dorothy.

 

[Julia_Mae]

But I have a question which I’ve asked many a time before: if it’s good to love God through indirect ways (like loving your neighbor) then why isn’t it even better to love God by “cutting out the middle man” and going to the sacrament despite your obligations to others?

I know that obligations are obviously a matter of justice and morality but I want to ask “why?” if indeed, they are only indirect and roundabout to a more direct worship?

Jesus called His Apostles and other disciples and kept them with Him. And then, when they were formed, He sent them out to serve by being Him to others in their healing and preaching.

Prayer allows us time with God for the Holy Spirit to do His work in us, to form us, so that we can succeed at our true vocation: to show forth the image of Christ. We show forth that image is acts of love and charity.

Jesus gave us one prayer to recite. He gave us contemplation in the story of Mary and Martha. And He gave us the message again and again to care for one another, to sacrifice for one another, to feed the poor, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned. He showed us, in His Own Life here, when He would go off to pray and come back to serve in Truth and Healing.

We have an example of Jesus about to go off to pray and His Apostles saying, “But all these people are here.” And Jesus goes to the people.

Our communion with God in prayer strengthens and forms us to serve Him as Christ in the world. Ultimately, ideally, we can be in constant prayer and constant service.

 

[fakename]

user "JRKH":

In truth we, limited Creatures that we are, cannot Love God in the manner or to the extent that God deserves. So what are we to do? God has an answer. We love God best when we Love our neighbor as our self - for the Love of God.
Let us consider the situation as you describe it.
If your neighbor is burdened in some way (financial or otherwise) through trying to see that you get to adoration daily, then you should seek his relief by adjusting either your means of transport, or you schedule. In short, just as we do not wish another to be a burden to us, so should we not be a burden to another. Conversely, Just as we wish for our neighbor to be available to us, so we should be available to our neighbor.
By this means we do not worship God in any indirect way, but indeed we worship him in a most direct and beautiful way.

Thanks.

But isn’t God closest to us in the Blessed Sacrament? And wouldn’t one’s prayers be more effectual when said in front of God rather than when you are removed from God?

 

[JRKH]

Thanks.

But isn’t God closest to us in the Blessed Sacrament? And wouldn’t one’s prayers be more effectual when said in front of God rather than when you are removed from God?

You ask a very difficult and tricky question here.
Physically, Yes God, that is Jesus, is closest to us in the Blessed Sacrament. However, God is also everywhere so He is always close to us.

The efficacy of our prayers has less to do with our physical proximity to the blessed sacrament than it does with our spiritual proximity to God.
In Truth are we not ALWAYS “in front of God”? Are we not always under His watchful eye?
If so then certainly we should speak and act in ways pleasing to Him. We should not be afraid to ask Him, to pray and to worship Him always and everywhere.

Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament DOES carry with it many blessings and is a wonderful channel of grace. This mainly due to the serenity, the solitude, the peace that is present when we are in church before the blessed sacrament. It is this serenity - this quiet from the noises of the world that is most helpful, and this can be achieved at other times and other places.
Jesus told us to - when we pray - to go into our inner room…That is to shut our the world. he did not say to go to a specific geographical place - the synagogue or temple for example. He said, go to your inner room and close the door.

What I am trying to say is that, as with all things, there needs to be a balance. The great saints teach us that even things that might seem pious and holy can become sinful if the act itself becomes the focus. Mortification is often used as an example…A person takes pride in their humility (“See how I humble myself”). Jesus speaks to this when He admonishes his followers to not pray on street corners for others to see.
The same can be true here - your desire to be in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament is laudable, but it must be balanced with how that desire and the required effort effects others who you rely on in order to get you there.

I hope that some of this helps.
As I say, it is a tricky question…
The best bet is to examine your situation from the aspect of Love.
The most Loving solution will be the one most pleasing to God.

Peace
James

 

[JRKH]

One other thought…

In reference to the thread title…Please consider that the more “difficult thing” for you - and therefore the more efficacious thing - is having to accept the fact that you CAN’T get to the Blessed Sacrament every day.
That you must make this sacrifice for the Love of neighbor out of Love of God.

Peace
James

 

[Julia_Mae]

The efficacy of our prayers has less to do with our physical proximity to the blessed sacrament than it does with our spiritual proximity to God.

I wonder if you would comment on how this proximity happens, in terms of it being our intent but entirely His action? Thank you.

 

[fakename]

user "JRKH":

You ask a very difficult and tricky question here.
Physically, Yes God, that is Jesus, is closest to us in the Blessed Sacrament. However, God is also everywhere so He is always close to us.

The efficacy of our prayers has less to do with our physical proximity to the blessed sacrament than it does with our spiritual proximity to God.
In Truth are we not ALWAYS “in front of God”? Are we not always under His watchful eye?
If so then certainly we should speak and act in ways pleasing to Him. We should not be afraid to ask Him, to pray and to worship Him always and everywhere.

Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament DOES carry with it many blessings and is a wonderful channel of grace. This mainly due to the serenity, the solitude, the peace that is present when we are in church before the blessed sacrament. It is this serenity - this quiet from the noises of the world that is most helpful, and this can be achieved at other times and other places.
Jesus told us to - when we pray - to go into our inner room…That is to shut our the world. he did not say to go to a specific geographical place - the synagogue or temple for example. He said, go to your inner room and close the door.

What I am trying to say is that, as with all things, there needs to be a balance. The great saints teach us that even things that might seem pious and holy can become sinful if the act itself becomes the focus. Mortification is often used as an example…A person takes pride in their humility (“See how I humble myself”). Jesus speaks to this when He admonishes his followers to not pray on street corners for others to see.
The same can be true here - your desire to be in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament is laudable, but it must be balanced with how that desire and the required effort effects others who you rely on in order to get you there.

I hope that some of this helps.
As I say, it is a tricky question…
The best bet is to examine your situation from the aspect of Love.
The most Loving solution will be the one most pleasing to God.

It is difficult. But let me state two things: (1) I generally thought that if one is both spiritually and physically close to God then it is better. But this seems to be the case with the Blessed Sacrament so to adore it in a chapel is better than just normal prayer. (2) Do you think that God is always physically close to us and if so, then how do you think that he is close? That is, how does something spiritual abide in a physical place; for the word “abide” seems to be inherently referred to a physical act? Can God be said to be per se physically in a place?

Perhaps he can as Summa Theologica said: God is everywhere in that his substance is present to all things as the cause of these latter.

 

[JRKH]

I wonder if you would comment on how this proximity happens, in terms of it being our intent but entirely His action? Thank you.

It is difficult. But let me state two things: (1) I generally thought that if one is both spiritually and physically close to God then it is better. But this seems to be the case with the Blessed Sacrament so to adore it in a chapel is better than just normal prayer. (2) Do you think that God is always physically close to us and if so, then how do you think that he is close? That is, how does something spiritual abide in a physical place; for the word “abide” seems to be inherently referred to a physical act? Can God be said to be per se physically in a place?

Perhaps he can as Summa Theologica said: God is everywhere in that his substance is present to all things as the cause of these latter.

You guys are both really making it tough on me…

How do I explain this - - - Or maybe I could be like the old priest who, when asked tough questions would fall back on - “Well it’s a mystery…”

Maybe if I try to answer fakename’s two questions, it will help Julia too…Here goes…

Fakename: (1) I generally thought that if one is both spiritually and physically close to God then it is better. But this seems to be the case with the Blessed Sacrament so to adore it in a chapel is better than just normal prayer.

Answer: I agree that being in the physical presence of the Blessed Sacrament is of great benefit. So in this sense, it is “better” - when it is possible and practical.
However - and to keep it somewhat tied to your specific problem - consider this…

If you do some harm, some unloving thing, to a neighbor in order to get to the Chapel, have you done what God wishes?? Or - rather have you done what YOU wish. Are you obeying God’s commands or some prideful desire on your part? This is what I meant earlier when talking about how something that “seems” good (praying in a chapel) can become something bad…Because the focus is not proper.
In this case it is a willingness to not love your neighbor as commanded, so that you can do what you want…

fakename: (2) Do you think that God is always physically close to us and if so, then how do you think that he is close? That is, how does something spiritual abide in a physical place; for the word “abide” seems to be inherently referred to a physical act? Can God be said to be per se physically in a place?
I don’t like to try to pin God down like this. God is always near. Whether that is some sort of physical presence, metaphysical, spiritual or whatever is of no concern. What is of more concern to me is whether I am close to God - in my heart and in my actions.

To reply to Julie somewhat - God is like that parent teaching the child to ride the bike. the parent runs along side a bit behind, holding the seat and balancing us. Eventually they let go and we head off on our own. But the parent is still near-by - just out of sight. Of course we fall off the bike and immediately cry out for the parent, who was there all along and comes to comfort us.

God is simply near…All we need to do is turn toward Him…Which is to say to turn towards Love for Love is the “True North” of our Compass the compass that always points towards God - who is Love.

I don’t know if this is of help to you guys. If not just keep asking questions…

Or read the book in my signature…
It explains this stuff better than I ever could…

Peace
James

 

[RastaPasta]

I think that Jesus loves the quality of our prayers, not the quantity.

Which do you think would be more pleasing to Jesus:

The man that pays to have vases of flowers placed on the altar each week; who spends a considerable amount of time praying (all the while looking at his watch), or the young child that places, each day, a few hand picked dandelions on the small “pretend” altar that they made for Jesus, as they sing little songs of praise that they made up?

I think that Jesus loves two things very deeply: simplicity and sincerity - something that Saint Thérèse of Lisieux seemed to understand all too well.

As for myself… I start off my day reciting a morning offering through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I spend the rest of the day making little offerings to my Heavenly Mother. Even when I clean my bathroom, I tell Mary Mother that the small task at hand is a little offering to Jesus through her Immaculate Heart.

I try to remember to do that in all things (even when I am submitting a post such as this one) so that all of my thoughts, words and deeds become little offerings to Jesus.

I do go to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, but even if I am not in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, I need to remember that Jesus is with me at all times and in all things.

 

[fakename]

You guys are both really making it tough on me…

How do I explain this - - - Or maybe I could be like the old priest who, when asked tough questions would fall back on - “Well it’s a mystery…”

Maybe if I try to answer fakename’s two questions, it will help Julia too…Here goes…

Fakename: (1) I generally thought that if one is both spiritually and physically close to God then it is better. But this seems to be the case with the Blessed Sacrament so to adore it in a chapel is better than just normal prayer.

Answer: I agree that being in the physical presence of the Blessed Sacrament is of great benefit. So in this sense, it is “better” - when it is possible and practical.
However - and to keep it somewhat tied to your specific problem - consider this…

If you do some harm, some unloving thing, to a neighbor in order to get to the Chapel, have you done what God wishes?? Or - rather have you done what YOU wish. Are you obeying God’s commands or some prideful desire on your part? This is what I meant earlier when talking about how something that “seems” good (praying in a chapel) can become something bad…Because the focus is not proper.
In this case it is a willingness to not love your neighbor as commanded, so that you can do what you want…

fakename: (2) Do you think that God is always physically close to us and if so, then how do you think that he is close? That is, how does something spiritual abide in a physical place; for the word “abide” seems to be inherently referred to a physical act? Can God be said to be per se physically in a place?
I don’t like to try to pin God down like this. God is always near. Whether that is some sort of physical presence, metaphysical, spiritual or whatever is of no concern. What is of more concern to me is whether I am close to God - in my heart and in my actions.

To reply to Julie somewhat - God is like that parent teaching the child to ride the bike. the parent runs along side a bit behind, holding the seat and balancing us. Eventually they let go and we head off on our own. But the parent is still near-by - just out of sight. Of course we fall off the bike and immediately cry out for the parent, who was there all along and comes to comfort us.

God is simply near…All we need to do is turn toward Him…Which is to say to turn towards Love for Love is the “True North” of our Compass the compass that always points towards God - who is Love.

I don’t know if this is of help to you guys. If not just keep asking questions…

Or read the book in my signature…
It explains this stuff better than I ever could…

Peace
James

Actually it turns out, after reading the Catholic Encyclopedia, that God is really and substantially everywhere. That is, his essence is literally everywhere so that if you breath then you breath in a place that God is in and if electrons circle the nucleus, then they also circle in a place God is in. So per se physical, God is everywhere.