Moral ideals -should they be quickly or more slowly pursued?

[fakename]

Maybe this should go in Spirituality, and I know that it is a question I’ve sort of answered, but I find that I need more help on it.

In the spiritual war which is human life, should one pursue a blitzkrieg strategy (constant prayer, deep sacrifices, taking fast and decisive steps, etc.), or should one choose the guerrilla war strategy (preparation, small gains a little at a time, incremental sacrifices building into something large, realistic appraisal of your abilities and expectations,etc…)?

My thoughts have always allied itself with the former than the latter but lately I’m starting to rethink my ways; for I’m starting to see that each has strengths and weaknesses.

1. the blitzkrieg is more intuitive because if you have an important purpose to accomplish, then you must necessarily want to accomplish it or else something else would be more important. So clearly if you want a religious life, then you must go forward and never stop and this is what the blitzkrieg was.
2. the blitzkrieg is also more efficient in that in a short time one can make extreme progress.

But it has cons: it can fatigue your mind and body -even to the point of health problems (for instance I’ve had to lessen my studies, reflections, etc. since the stress was giving me chest pains). It might also, if spiritual over-activity is like physical, so wear-out the spiritual faculty as to make it shun spiritual things; just like the body breaks down and will go no further if it has been pushed too much.

Is there such a limit to the spirit/soul/mind?

1. But the slow-and-steady way is also good because it allows for rest, and it seems that even the Imitation of Christ suggests that people move slowly and not be too hasty in becoming a saint; it even says that some works in the spiritual life are too high for some people.

Also, a good point would be that Catholicism is like the slow path since they both emphasize grace and external help whereas the quick path is more pelagian if taken too far -though it too relies on help.

1. But of course the slow-and-steady way is bad since it can lead to procrastination.

So what strategy is better? Should both be practiced and when should one take the precedence?

 

[Allegra]

I suspect that most people take both approaches at different stages of their faith journey.

 

[Christofer]

Personally I have found the one day at a time approach to be the best. I guess this approach suits me because I’m a recovering addict so I know firsthand the consequences of believing I have the power to change anything in my life. I figure since God only gives me one day at a time I will fight my battles one day at a time. I think those who put too much on their plate fall the hardest and then lose hope quickly.

 

[odile53]

@ Christofer–recall that Christ Himself said, “suffice it to the day are the troubles thereof,” as well as the references to this day in the Lord’s Prayer. I’d say your “one day at a time” focus is right on target.

 

[fakename]

@ Christofer–recall that Christ Himself said, “suffice it to the day are the troubles thereof,” as well as the references to this day in the Lord’s Prayer. I’d say your “one day at a time” focus is right on target.

Sometimes people say that you should look before you jump, other say that you’ll be damned if you don’t act.

Do you think the Catholic religion is best pursued by using the attitude of one or the other of these sayings?

 

[michelleds]

Growing spiritually is definitely a day by day process; really a moment by moment one since you can only live one moment at a time.

When faced with a large task, I find it helpful to make a list or an outline. So, in the case of Spiritual growth, you might start by listing the Absolutes. for instance, Mass once a week and on Holy Days of Obligation. That’s a bare minimum.

After you’ve got that foundation in place (and you probably already do), you look at that and you think, well, I could definitely commit to a little something more. I could do a 30 minute prayer and spiritual reading each morning and 10 minutes before bedtime. And I’ll commit to going to Reconciliation every 30/45/60 days. or maybe you want to start smaller and commit to crossing yourself when you get out of bed and asking for God’s will to be done; nighttime could be a committment to say one Our Father and one Hail Mary before you fall asleep.

If there’s a specific virtue or sin that you are having trouble with, focus your spiritual reading and prayer in that area. if it’s a sin–venial or mortal–that you are having trouble overcoming, go to Reconciliation more frequently.

The blitz attack’s most prominent problem is maintaining that headlong rush toward holiness.

Pray.

 

[0129141]

For one thing, you should not be lessoning your studies becasue of your devotions. Those studies are God’s will for you; cutting on them is akin to placing your will before God’s, and that is not true devotion. Don’t think I’m judging you. I’m not, since I don’t know the particulars. But I went through this with scrupulosity. There’s a new book I suggest you read, its called the Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, by Fr. James Martin, S.J. This book will directly address your question.

Peace:thumbsup: