Author Topic: Could you spend 16 hours visiting Jesus? (Read 2935 times)

Alex · « **on:** February 15, 2010, 08:20:22 AM »

I have an aquaintance friend (Novus Ordo) who visits Jesus every day - for 5 hours per day (sometimes more). The other day, he visited Jesus for 16 hours straight (taking 1 hour lunch break only). Dose the fact that, even if I did have the time, I could not do what he does, mean that I don't love Jesus enough?

Clovis · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2010, 08:27:21 AM »

Quote from: Alex

I have an aquaintance friend (Novus Ordo) who visits Jesus every day - for 5 hours per day (sometimes more). The other day, he visited Jesus for 16 hours straight (taking 1 hour lunch break only). Dose the fact that, even if I did have the time, I could not do what he does, mean that I don't love Jesus enough?

How could we ever love the Lord Jesus enough after all He was done and continues to do for us?

Caminus · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2010, 08:59:12 AM »

Quote from: Alex

I have an aquaintance friend (Novus Ordo) who visits Jesus every day - for 5 hours per day (sometimes more). The other day, he visited Jesus for 16 hours straight (taking 1 hour lunch break only). Dose the fact that, even if I did have the time, I could not do what he does, mean that I don't love Jesus enough?

Doesn't he have other duties of state to attend to? If he is neglecting his other duties, then his visits are offensive to God and harmful to his soul.

Belloc · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2010, 09:21:15 AM »

Quote from: Alex

Dose the fact that, even if I did have the time, I could not do what he does, mean that I don't love Jesus enough?

be careful not to be too hard on yourself, this could lead to throwing out the intent and you are left with Pharisee law observance........

hey, on a fun note, we could devolve this talk to "where is there a real Host"..waiting for CM/Raoul,et al.....

Clovis · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2010, 09:33:48 AM »

Quote from: Caminus

Doesn't he have other duties of state to attend to? If he is neglecting his other duties, then his visits are offensive to God and harmful to his soul.

Remember what the Lord said to Martha when she scolded Mary.

Belloc · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2010, 10:08:11 AM »

Quote from: Clovis

Quote from: Caminus

Doesn't he have other duties of state to attend to? If he is neglecting his other duties, then his visits are offensive to God and harmful to his soul.

Remember what the Lord said to Martha when she scolded Mary.

True, but also, depends on his staet in life-single guy, time on his hands or out of work? marreid? children? etc......

CM · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2010, 10:15:33 AM »

If a person has duties to attend to, yet he chooses to spend time in works of piety instead, allowing his responsibilities to fall behind, then he is sinning in doing so.

If Mary had been neglecting the duties and obligations of her state of life then her actions would have been sinful. Clearly she was not neglecting any duties.

Doing our just duties and fulfilling our obligations is itself necessary and a work of justice, not of supererogation and when a soul is properly disposed, is also meritorious and can even be offered up as penance.

Works of duty ALWAYS come before works of supererogation.

Caminus · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2010, 10:21:59 AM »

Quote from: Clovis

Quote from: Caminus

Doesn't he have other duties of state to attend to? If he is neglecting his other duties, then his visits are offensive to God and harmful to his soul.

Remember what the Lord said to Martha when she scolded Mary.

That's a misappropriation of a biblical text. If duties are neglected, one sins against justice.

Clovis · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2010, 10:27:02 AM »

Quote from: CM

If a person has duties to attend to, yet he chooses to spend time in works of piety instead, allowing his responsibilities to fall behind, then he is sinning in doing so.

If Mary had been neglecting the duties and obligations of her state of life then her actions would have been sinful. Clearly she was not neglecting any duties.

Works of duty ALWAYS come before works of supererogation.

She was allowing her sister to do all the work that they I presume would normally both share.

I know Im going to get into trouble here and doubtless what I am going to say is close to actual Jansenist teaching...I am uneasy with this idea of "supererogation" because after all the Lord commanded us to be perfect as our Father in Heaven is which means that we will never in this world be able to do "beyond what is required by God".

Clovis · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2010, 10:30:26 AM »

Quote from: Belloc

True, but also, depends on his staet in life-single guy, time on his hands or out of work? marreid? children? etc......

Fair enough and I take your point. However I know that I and probably many others could easily find more time to pray that we otherwise waste. Lets presume the best about this person (not saying that YOU arent doing that).

Matthew · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2010, 10:31:41 AM »

Quote from: Caminus

Quote from: Clovis
Quote from: Caminus

Doesn't he have other duties of state to attend to? If he is neglecting his other duties, then his visits are offensive to God and harmful to his soul.

Remember what the Lord said to Martha when she scolded Mary.

That's a misappropriation of a biblical text. If duties are neglected, one sins against justice.

Caminus is correct. We have to order our lives according to reason and justice. We can't just float around and grasp at anything that looks "good". God wants us to use our reason, and certainly to do our duties of state.

A single guy spending all day in the Chapel can choose "the better part, which shall not be taken away from [him]"

But someone who has to take care of a family would be deluding himself in spending so much time away from home and his duties there.

Matthew · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2010, 10:34:46 AM »

Quote from: Clovis

Quote from: Belloc

True, but also, depends on his staet in life-single guy, time on his hands or out of work? marreid? children? etc......

Fair enough and I take your point. However I know that I and probably many others could easily find more time to pray that we otherwise waste. Lets presume the best about this person (not saying that YOU arent doing that).

Clovis, the "acquaintance friend" isn't here, and we don't even know his name. We are having a discussion about a person in a given situation. This isn't the place for "charity" "thinking the best about someone", etc.

By "this isn't the place for charity" I mean THIS is where we should focus on the Truth only, not worrying about someone's feelings, etc. which you would normally do with a PERSON -- whether you're chatting online or talking in person.

That's why the name was left off. On a message board, we have abstract, philosophical discussions about Catholicism, the correct path, etc.

When it comes to individuals, you always have to think the best, make excuses for their behavior, etc. I would certainly never be rude or uncharitable to someone in person. Anyone who knows me is well aware of that.

I realize that this "abstract situation" has a soul out there in this case, but I could care less about the state of his soul. I'm leaving his soul completely alone. I'm using this situation as a chance to tell people out there about the proper action regarding duties of state vs piety.

That's what a message board is for -- and the mistake you made is ALL TOO COMMON. I've seen it a million times -- mostly on FE.

Matthew

Caminus · « **Reply #12 on:** February 15, 2010, 10:44:32 AM »

Additionally, true devotion isn't necessarily found in quantity, but quality. I say this so as to make the OP understand that just because someone spends 16 hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament, doesn't necessarily equate to that person loving more or offering a more pure devotion. Often times, the man who simply, humbly and with generous charity fulfills the duty of his state, is far more holy than the man who spends hours in the chapel. You will find this doctrine in the wisdom of the saints.

CM · « **Reply #13 on:** February 15, 2010, 12:06:41 PM »

Quote from: Caminus

Additionally, true devotion isn't necessarily found in quantity, but quality.

Quote from: Matthew

I'm using this situation as a chance to tell people out there about the proper action regarding duties of state vs piety.

TRUE piety *necessarily* includes fulfillment of ALL duties of ones state in life as far as one is able.

Matthew · « **Reply #14 on:** February 15, 2010, 12:22:03 PM »

Yes, that is true. But many people have a false, simplistic sense of what piety entails.

They think it involves lack of masculinity, sappiness, quantity of vocal prayers said, etc.