Author Topic: Laundry, Big Families, and Frugality (Read 8637 times)

Matthew · « **Reply #15 on:** April 29, 2011, 02:22:31 PM »

I should also point out, S2srea --

We're not dirty either. You seem to be assuming we are. I am in agreement with you about being physically dirty.

Soap, water, bleach, ammonia don't cost that much! If you're poor, use washrags/washcloths/re-washable rags of some sort to clean your tables, counters, floors, for dusting, etc.

One does NOT have to buy modern "specialty products" to clean each thing in the house. Buy a gallon of bleach, a gallon of vinegar, and maybe one of ammonia and you're good to go!

Padre Pio lived simply. The simple furniture in his cell might have been old. But I have a hard time imagining a saint leaving pizza boxes all over the place, piles of dirty laundry on the floor, etc. I'm sure the saints would use a dusting rag once in a while -- not a neurotic, antiseptic germ-killing frenzy like the modern American suburbanite -- but keeping things decent and clean.

We don't want people to think Catholics are slobs! That would be a legitimate scandal.

All Catholics should be familiar with the spirit of poverty. It's very close in meaning to being frugal -- it's using things with care; not wasting anything.

Buying a $10 "Swiffer" when a bucket of warm water with a squirt of dish soap and a mop would do -- that's rather wasteful. If you HAVE such money to spare, why not save the money, and donate the $10 to a good priest or poor person? They need it much more than SC Johnson Wax.

Matthew

Matthew · « **Reply #16 on:** April 29, 2011, 02:27:04 PM »

To me, it's ungrateful to God when we waste the material things He has provided for us.

If you bought a gift for your nephew, and he said with a sneer, "Thanks, sucker!", gave you the middle finger, and closed the door to his bedroom, would you be inclined to continue buying him gifts? I didn't think so.

Ingratitude hurts -- it's nice when we can experience it, so we know something of how God feels when WE are ungrateful to Him.

Matthew

ora pro me · « **Reply #17 on:** April 29, 2011, 04:19:22 PM »

Well, if you've seen what dust mites look like under a microscope, you'll want to throw your bedding in the wash using very hot water. :shocked:

And clean sheets feel and smell so wonderful.

s2srea · « **Reply #18 on:** April 30, 2011, 01:23:47 AM »

Matt-

I'm sorry that I came off as insinuating or demeaning. I'm sure you're not a bad parent- on the contrary, I've read a lot of your postings which have made me question how I will bring up my own children believe it or not. I don't know if this is a cultural (even micro-cultural since we both are American) issue- maybe maybe not.

I guess where I disagree is that because (in this specific case) we have the ability to be clean in our day in age, and because we are more comfortable in doing so, we should do it less. No Louis XIV wasn't as comfortable in his clothes as we probably are today, and yes if he could've he probably would've got his hands on some nice cotton shirts. But I have to believe that St. Louis IX might have done the same, and a long list of other monarchs. Would it make them less saintly? No- its all a matter of how you approach everything- with or without God at the forefront. You sir, are especially well (objectively) of putting Christ before all, and that is commendable- I can only hope to be a strong as a leader for my family as you seem to be for yours.

Quote from: Matthew

After The Fall, one's body is at war with one's soul. You can only favor one or the other -- you can't serve both (but you can try!) I like the term "Brother Ass" for one's body -- that's what a saint called it. It's a good analogy -- your body must be fed, watered, etc. but what man spends all day grooming his donkey, putting soft clothes on it, being concerned with its utmost comfort? Who installs A/C in his barn? No, as long as the donkey will be OK, you leave it be.

This is great insight and I really enjoyed this. Point taken.

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And I'll have you know that A) my kids aren't dirty, not by any stretch, B) they don't stink, C) we've not had any problems with above-average bouts of illness (or lice, for that matter). If anything, my kids are healthier. They hardly ever get sick.

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And "cleanliness is next to godliness" is a protestant idea. It has no basis in Catholicism. About the closest you could get would be "prudently taking care of one's health" but like I said, science has proven that it's HEALTHIER to take less frequent showers, now that we know how Vitamin D is produced and absorbed -- and the important role Vitamin D plays in preventing illness and cancer.

Moderation in all things.

So... I didn't know this was a Protestant saying. I will make sure not to use it anymore!

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BTW, the SSPX handbook, handed out to seminarians, states that "A shower once a week is usually plenty, unless one has perspired much."
Yes, the American seminarians had a good laugh with that one (laughing at the obvious French influence) but the handbook DOES have a point. Why didn't the handbook read: "Showering twice a day is optimal -- Cleanliness is next to godliness, boys!"

Again, could this be cultural? I'm not sure, but my mind puts me in that direction when reading this.

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That phrase leads you to believe that a dirty bum on the street is bound for hell. After all, he's filthy and dirty; he smells. You couldn't imagine anyone wanting to embrace him, much less God, right?

I do not and would not ever believe this, I'm sorry I made you think it.

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My point: That phrase comes from Calvinism. And I hate Calvinism, being opposed as it is to the truth.

I'm not saying you're Calvinist, but I am saying you're American, and Calvinism is in the very air we breathe here in America. You can't avoid not absorbing SOME of it, when it's in your milieu.

Well thats wrong- I am able to embrace the poor and my heart pours out to them strongly when I see them (not bragging or being prideful). So while I may be American, I only live here, I AM NOT american in spirit or mind. You live here too (right?) so this would have to apply to you as well and I do not see it whatsoever in anything you've said. My parents (especially my mom's side) come from true poverty and she has instilled many principles in me which I hold dear.

Zenith · « **Reply #19 on:** April 30, 2011, 02:28:00 AM »

Quote from: ora pro me

Well, if you've seen what dust mites look like under a microscope, you'll want to throw your bedding in the wash using very hot water. :shocked:

And clean sheets feel and smell so wonderful.

If you looked at anything under a microscope it looks unclean including your fingers after you have washed them well, the spoon you just washed well, the pot you washed well, etc....

The point being that the world is made up of bugs and without them we would not be here.

If we become paranoid about germs it can become OCD and that is not healthy either.

We have to be exposed to germs in order to boost our immune systems and like Matthew said, when we try and kill off all the bugs we only actually make them stronger and more resistant to the chemicals and in the end it will be us who suffers.