Should one redo something that is done incorrectly?

[fakename]

In life, do you think that it is a true general moral law, that one should repeat correctly what one did incorrectly?

It at least applies to sacraments which are performed incorrectly, but does it apply to things like not genuflecting correctly, etc?

 

[JimG]

Only if it is necessary to redo–i.e. an invalid sacrament.

Otherwise, there is no need to go repeating minor acts trying to perfect them.

As Grandma used to say, anything worth doing, is worth doing poorly.

 

[fakename]

Only if it is necessary to redo–i.e. an invalid sacrament.

Otherwise, there is no need to go repeating minor acts trying to perfect them.

As Grandma used to say, anything worth doing, is worth doing poorly.

Ah, but what is “necessary”? is it something intrinsic, extrinsic or both or something else?

 

[jegow]

Ah, but what is “necessary”? is it something intrinsic, extrinsic or both or something else?

I would say whatever is necessary in that moment - otherwise a person who thinks this way could begin to fall down the road of scrupulosity. An easy of looking at this is that we are human and many times don’t do things as perfectly as we intend or hope to, so we just keep trying to do better the next time around.

Unless there is an urgency that demands repeating the act as soon as possible, I would say just try and better next time.

Just curious … what do you mean by genuflecting incorrectly or doing the sacraments wrong?

 

[fred_conty]

In life, do you think that it is a true general moral law, that one should repeat correctly what one did incorrectly?

It at least applies to sacraments which are performed incorrectly, but does it apply to things like not genuflecting correctly, etc?

Absolutely no! He looks at the heart and the intention. The Pharisees did all the things the law prescribed exactly, but not with their heart to please God. Those things they did exteriorly without the heart Jesus said were of no value. If we look like we are swatting flies when we make the sign of the cross, we need to correct that because we are repeating what the Pharisees did, all show outside and no fire of love inside. If we go to holy communion and don’t pay attention to Him who is one with us, all show and no fire.
Should we repeat these things? Not until we are ready to do it the way it should be done with the appreciation He deserves. He loves us, so lets do it back.