In Progress

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Mary| 5 Comments

So, remember a few weeks ago when I posted the 7 Steps to Being Young & Catholic?

Yeah, well just so you know, I’ve been doing terribly at them.  I could list my excuses here for you as to why I have not “been able” to make it to daily mass at least once a week apart from Sunday, or why I haven’t spent the time in silent prayer or the time in the chapel that I know I should, but they would just look pathetic.  As far as spiritual reading: if I wasn’t a student of Biblical Theology, then that would probably look pretty meager, too.

It’s not that I’m getting down on myself for just slacking off on some checklist, but at the same time, I’m totally getting down on myself for slacking off on some checklist.

Let me explain: No one is eager to wake up on January 1st to kick-off a six-month diet and workout regimen.  They may like the idea of it in their head; they may be eager for the results and know deep down that they’re craving discipline in their life, but by the middle of day two, all that person really wants is a brownie.

We’re human.  As good as our intentions may be, a plan helps keep us on track.

Similarly, I may like the idea of getting up every morning at 6:30 to go mass, and of spending my free time reading my Bible.  I may know deep down that is what will bring me truer joy than watching my Facebook newsfeed update, but a lot of times that doesn’t make it much easier to get into the spiritual shape I feel God is calling me to.

I know that faith isn’t supposed to just be some divine checklist—that it all comes down to falling in love with God, and that I just need to rely on Him and He will give me the grace of faith.  But sometimes I’m not super awesome at doing even that.

So it turns out I’m not the perfect poster-child for the Young & Catholic lifestyle.  Oh well.  Good thing I believe in a God who meets me where I am, and never tires of reminding me where I need to be.

Lent is coming up soon!  Let’s all get spiritually buff.

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; 27 but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:25-27

 

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  • Ichen

    Thank you for this post and blog! It was one of those posts that just hits you, as if you needed to hear each and every word. So thank you for continuing on your run to Jesus. Keep up the great work!

  • Thais

    Hi, Mary! You are not a perfect person as well I’m not… we are humans and humans are not perfect, that’s it! Sometimes I don’t feel like praying the rosary, doing my Lectio Divina ( we  brazilians use the latin expression I dont how you would say that maybe the same way! ) or waking up too early go to the Mass. But God knows us and if He asks us to do some effort it’s because we are able to do it.  Sometimes we fall and have come running to Him but that is what a catholic life is! I pray for you to keep your journey to Jesus!

    • Haley

      We say Lectio Divina in the States, as well, Thais(: I adore Lectio!

  • Erin

    Thanks for the post!  Your honesty is refreshing.  I know there are times where I have run to Jesus and need reminders like this post that we catholics continue to fall from time time.  We need to pick ourselves up and run to Jesus who is our father and loves us. 

  • Marie

    So, I loved reading the “7 steps” post, and I was like, “I’m totally going to get back on track and do that!” And yeah it didn’t really happen. And I’ve been down on myself too. Thanks for being willing to share this. Because hey, recognizing our weakness, and that we need help (from above) to do anything good, is the first step, right? :)