: Why is the quality and not the quantity of our devotion more important? Or to rephrase: How can amassing devotions be akin to “building our treasures on earth” instead of in heaven?Devotion is good and holy, but how can it lead to pride?In this letter, St. Francis wrote: “Great is their folly who amuse themselves with desiring to be martyred in the Indies, and do not apply themselves to what they have to do in the place where their vocation is appointed.” In recent times, St. Therese of Calcutta said, “Stay where you are. Find your own Calcutta. Find the sick, the suffering and the lonely right there where you are—in your own homes and in your own families, in your workplaces and in your schools.” Discuss.In the spirit of this letter, discuss this quote of Jesus from Matthew 6:16-18, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your hea
on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”In the spirit of this letter, discuss this quote of Jesus from Matthew 6:16-18, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your hea
on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”How does humility help inform the practice of devotion and other virtues?How does the above exhortation guide our time at prayer? What are good ways to direct our thoughts and affections?
Jun 27, 2:56 AM
SrSusan (Guest): Sun 730-830pm est
un 29, 4:38 PMSrSusan (Guest): I think people in early stages of prayer may be attracted to multiple devotions to help them learn to pray and expand their hearts
Jun 29, 4:46 PM
Betty chao (Guest): Some hymns have devotional scripture in it that can help us to worship and pray
Jun 29, 4:46 PM
Simone (Guest): I agree Betty.
Jun 29, 4:47 PMCarol (Guest): Singing helps me too Betty
Jun 29, 4:47 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I sort of have a singing retreat just before Pentecost
Jun 29, 4:47 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Holy Spirit songs
Jun 29, 4:47 PM
Simone (Guest): What is a singing retreat? I am intrigued
Jun 29, 4:48 PM
Simone (Guest): Glad you came back Dawn
Jun 29, 4:48 PM
SrSusan (Guest): We have a 3 day retreat anhere and a good part of the time I sing those devotional songs
Jun 29, 4:48 PM
Betty chao (Guest): Come Holy Ghost created and bliss and our soul take up and rest
Jun 29, 4:49 PM
SrSusan (Guest): yes and others, charismatic type hymns
Jun 29, 4:49 PM
Simone (Guest): I love that. Gosh I would love to attend something like this. Why have I never heard about something like this before?
Jun 29, 4:49 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Because it is not an official thing, I just do this personally
Jun 29, 4:49 PM
Kathy (Guest): Isn’t singing hymns considered a form of prayer?
Jun 29, 4:49 PM
Simone (Guest): Are you singing alone for yourself or with others?
Jun 29, 4:50 PM
Simone (Guest): oh – I am convinced that a heart can pray deeply when singing to God
Jun 29, 4:50 PM
Dawn (Guest): Sr Susan how do you think it vould lead to pride?
Jun 29, 4:50 PM
SrSusan (Guest): if I was making up the hymn maybe but it is someone else’s and I am using it for prayer and stir my own heart
Jun 29, 4:50 PM
SrSusan (Guest): singing for Jesus
Jun 29, 3:10 AM
Jun 29, 4:25 PM
Carol (Guest): Betty Chao, welcome back!
Jun 29, 4:25 PM
Carol (Guest): Hi Kathy!
Jun 29, 4:25 PM
Betty chao (Guest): Hi everyone
Jun 29, 4:25 PM
Kathy (Guest): Good evening!
Jun 29, 4:26 PM
Betty chao (Guest): Where is mother Susan
Welcome to our Living Jesus Chat Room. Just sign in, using any of the methods below.
Jun 29, 4:26 PM
Carol (Guest): She is not here yet, but we are early
Jun 29, 4:26 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Hi everyone!
Jun 29, 4:27 PM
Carol (Guest): Hi Sr Susan!
Jun 29, 4:27 PM
Betty chao (Guest): Hi mother susan
un 29, 4:34 PM
Simone (Guest): Hi Sister – my pleasure of leading the chat Sister
Jun 29, 4:35 PM
SrSusan (Guest): It seems we continue with the theme of devotion here devotion vs devotions
Jun 29, 4:35 PM
Carol (Guest): Hi Simone!
Jun 29, 4:35 PM
Dawn (Guest): I’m using my phone in here, will see
un 29, 4:36 PM
Dawn (Guest): Devotions vs devotions
Jun 29, 4:36 PM
SrSusan (Guest): to repeat: Why is the quality and not the quantity of our devotion more important? Or to rephrase: How can amassing devotions be akin to “building our treasures on earth” instead of in heaven
Jun 29, 4:36 PM
Betty chao (Guest): Let us use the Bible and rosary beads to devotional to jesus
Jun 29, 4:38 PM
Carol (Guest): If we say them without infusing them with meaning, we are just rattling off words
Jun 29, 4:39 PM
Kathy (Guest): The quality strengthens our relationship with Jesus and places our focus on him. When we amass devotions on earth, we are doing so for the benefit of what others may perceive as our holiness.
Jun 29, 4:39 PM
Simone (Guest): I agree Kathy.. and Carol
Jun 29, 4:39 PM
Dawn (Guest): Yes, perhaps a teaching tool in beginning
Jun 29, 4:40 PMSimone (Guest): I wonder what kind of picture of God is behind the need of “amassing devotions”.. A God who is never fully satisfied with what we are doing and needs more and more to be pleased?
Jun 29, 4:41 PMCarol (Guest): I think people are attracted to the promises made. You know, say this prayer and you will receive something extra
un 29, 4:41 PMSimone (Guest): This topic often arises with my directees.. often when they become “desperate” in a life area – they increase the quantity of their devotions – in order to make sure God hears them.. or as if there is a magical number – but this does not really add to building trust in an almighty God
Jun 29, 4:42 PMSimone (Guest): oh Carol.. you are so right.. that’s exactly what I sense too
un 29, 4:43 PM
Simone (Guest): Sometimes.. I do see though too . that when people are fully ” rock bottom”.. only can pray vocal prayer again and again in order to cling to God
Jun 29, 4:43 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Devotion is good and holy, but how can it lead to pride
Jun 29, 4:43 PM
Kathy (Guest): I always think about when Jesus said, “I never really knew you.” Talking to him as a friend draws me closer to him. He already knows what is in our hearts, but we wants to hear it from us.
Jun 29, 4:44 PM
Simone (Guest): It can lead to pride when we think we are creating our own holiness with human actions
Jun 29, 4:44 PM
Carol (Guest): Devotions can get the conversation started as it were, but we must see beyond the words
Jun 29, 4:45 PMCarol (Guest): Or we think how wonderful we said all these prayers
Ruth (Guest): I found a book in which I wrote “The Prayers I know” when I was a child. and such neat lettering then,
Jun 29, 4:53 PM
SrSusan (Guest): In this letter, St. Francis wrote: “Great is their folly who amuse themselves with desiring to be martyred in the Indies, and do not apply themselves to what they have to do in the place where their vocation is appointed.” In recent times, St. Therese of Calcutta said, “Stay where you are. Find your own Calcutta. Find the sick, the suffering and the lonely right there where you are—in your own homes and in your own families, in your workplaces and in your schools.” Discuss.
un 29, 4:55 PMRuth (Guest): Grow where you are planted! my dear friend Sr. charlotte used to say.
Jun 29, 4:55 PM
Dawn (Guest): Yes, Ruth..
Jun 29, 4:56 PM
SrSusan (Guest): yes St Francis de Sales said bloom where you are planted
Jun 29, 4:56 PMCarol (Guest): Yes, the whole world is a mission field and we are all called to a different path
un 29, 4:56 PM
Ruth (Guest): I wonder if she knew she was paraphrasing St. Francis.
Jun 29, 4:56 PM
Carol (Guest): Saying oh, I’ll serve if I get to the Indies and not before is rejecting our responsibility
Jun 29, 4:57 PM
Dawn (Guest): Or many of us..
un 29, 4:57 PM
Kathy (Guest): My parish is in the heart of downtown and surrounded by homeless. It is one of the great blessings we have to be able to serve on our doorstep.
Jun 29, 4:57 PM
Ruth (Guest): I miss her still and it is over10 years since she passed away, suddenly, unexpectedly.
un 29, 4:58 PM
Bettychao (Guest): I use my cell phone to chat with you because something wrong of my ipad
Jun 29, 4:58 PM
Simone (Guest): Your friend left a legacy to you with her thoughts Ruth
Jun 29, 4:58 PM
Bettychao (Guest): I was draw a blessed sacred heart jesus when i was child
Jun 29, 4:59 PM
Carol (Guest): Kathy, that must be difficult too. But what a blessing
Jun 29, 4:59 PM
Simone (Guest): as for the question.. I think I said that a couple of weeks ago.. the card I have here in my house which says ( in German).. It is not important that we do something big for God.. it is important that God does something important through us
Jun 29, 4:59 PM
Carol (Guest): Betty, He touched you when you were little
Jun 29, 4:59 PMCarol (Guest): Totally takes the focus off of ourselves, Simone
un 29, 5:00 PMBettychao (Guest): Jesus is great healing
un 29, 5:00 PMRuth (Guest): and he will if we let him.
Jun 29, 5:00 PM
Simone (Guest): also.. we like to dream BIG – where God wants to do something “important”. the German word is a little bit more precise, but I cannot translate it well.. sorry
Jun 29, 5:01 PM
Ruth (Guest): I think Paul says something like this. I am strong when I am weak.
Jun 29, 5:01 PM
Dawn (Guest): How do these devotions possibly lead us to pride
Jun 29, 5:01 PMCarol (Guest): We can dream big, but the steps to get there are very small.
Jun 29, 5:01 PM
Simone (Guest): and humbling
Jun 29, 5:01 PM
Bettychao (Guest): When i cant see sometime of my eyes i pray to jesus help me let my eyes see when i was child in kansas
Jun 29, 5:02 PM
Dawn (Guest): I may have mis spoken, I too am using my phone and can’t refer to questions
Jun 29, 5:02 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Now i can open my eyes and see
Jun 29, 5:02 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I guess thinking too highly of ourselves Dawn becUSE we say so many prayers?
un 29, 5:02 PM
Simone (Guest): Dawn.. I think the devotions can lead us to pride if we allow their “perfection” – either in number or other way lead back to us I think. Devotions can be beautiful to God – of course – in every number and way.. if we use them as a bridge to God’s heart
Jun 29, 5:03 PMCarol (Guest): Sr Susan, thats what I think too
Jun 29, 5:04 PM
Dawn (Guest): Sr, yes I believe so. Maybe I’ve done this…not maybe
Jun 29, 5:04 PM
Kathy (Guest): Simone, when I first served meals at a shelter, I thought it would be emotionally difficult. It was not because I truly felt God reaching out to those people through me.
un 29, 5:04 PMSimone (Guest): that’s wonderful.. and could be a sign that serving the poor is one of your Charisms Kathy
un 29, 5:05 PMKathy (Guest): My pastor thinks it is too!
Jun 29, 5:05 PM
Simone (Guest): there is hardly a bigger blessing than to be allowed to serve with your Charism where you are
Jun 29, 5:05 PM
Ruth (Guest): I have a young friend here who is an outstanding intensive athlete and comes from a devout family. She recently disclosed that she has a severe allergic condition — frequent anaphylaxis — has to carry an Epi Pen and teach others to use it. One of the things that triggers anaphylaxis is EXERCISE! Almost died a number of times in the last couple of years.
Jun 29, 5:06 PM
Carol (Guest): Not everyone can do it Kathy with loving dignity
Jun 29, 5:07 PMDawn (Guest): Exercised induced asthma
un 29, 5:07 PM
Bettychao (Guest): We need to pray by obey jesus
Jun 29, 5:07 PM
SrSusan (Guest): yes
un 29, 5:10 PMCarol (Guest): We remember that we say the prayers because Gid is great and we are not
un 29, 5:11 PMDawn (Guest): Boasting of what we do for God , humility would help to quiet this
un 29, 5:11 PMSimone (Guest): When we see humility under the definition of ” truth in relationship to God”.. then devotion born out of humility would be that GOD is worthy to receive our time and worship.. our thoughts
Jun 29, 5:11 PM
Kathy (Guest): It allows us to focus on what really matters, living as Jesus did. It brings us closer to him, rather than a superficial relationship.
Jun 29, 5:12 PM
Ruth (Guest): Yes, Simone. God does for us. Far less the other way around.
un 29, 5:13 PM
Bettychao (Guest): But God mercy very close to us if we obey following him
Jun 29, 5:13 PM
Carol (Guest): He is and always should be first in our hearts
Jun 29, 5:14 PMSimone (Guest): and this is reflected in the way we offer our time and thoughts.. so devotions can truly be a sign of a surrendered heart.
Jun 29, 5:14 PMRuth (Guest): and God does THROUGH us, not because of our devotions but because we try to make ourselves available to him
him”
Jun 29, 5:15 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Today someone in news say bad things about catholic and Christians but dont listen maybe satan use their lips to say against jesus people and his church just dont listen to them just obey and listen to jesus
Jun 29, 5:15 PM
Dawn (Guest): I think of how Religious Sisters, Sr Susan, are surrendered. A life of devotion and prayer….
un 29, 5:15 PM
Dawn (Guest): A beautiful life
Jun 29, 5:15 PM
Carol (Guest): At the core, its all about staying with Him
Jun 29, 5:16 PM
SrSusan (Guest): yes that is it being with Him
Jun 29, 5:16 PM
Kathy (Guest): Tell him every day how much you love Him!
Jun 29, 5:16 PM
Bettychao (Guest): We just make good action in our life so they know we are people of christ
Jun 29, 5:16 PM
Simone (Guest): I agree Dawn.. but I also know from some religious Sisters that even in a life of devotions and prayers.. humility and love for God has to be developed more and more
Jun 29, 5:17 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Heart and soul is the church
Jun 29, 5:17 PM
Ruth (Guest): Still, I admire people who, in this day and age are willing and able to share their devotional thoughts openly, esp. when there is so much likelihood of being g misunderstood or even mocked.
Jun 29, 5:18 PM
Simone (Guest): I envy people who are called to ongoing prayer.. and can do it. I hope this is a “holy envy” – it does not feel like something I have to confess
Jun 29, 5:18 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I think we are all called to that in different wys
un 29, 5:19 PM
SrSusan (Guest): How does the above exhortation guide our time at prayer? What are good ways to direct our thoughts and affections?
Jun 29, 5:19 PM
Simone (Guest): I agree Sister.. I actually do feel that God invites me to ongoing prayer.. but it looks very different.. than your prayer life for example
Jun 29, 5:19 PM
Ruth (Guest): Kathy, yes, but also let him tell you how much he loves you. God IS LOVE,
Jun 29, 5:19 PM
Carol (Guest): Simine, as it spurs you to greater closeness to God, it is good to emulate them
un 29, 5:19 PMSimone (Guest): I agree Carol
un 29, 5:20 PMSimone (Guest): I am praying for a long long time now already that God would give me a dedicated place where I can pray uninterrupted – one would think that this is a non brainer in a house.. but it is interesting how difficult it seems to be . Often the bed is the one place.. where I pray the best
Jun 29, 5:21 PMCarol (Guest): Me too! I am supposed to have a dedicated prayer corner and instead I’m all over the place
un 29, 5:22 PM
Simone (Guest): We had our first weekend in our new church – and one of the things I love the most about it.. is that it feels like the perfect “house of prayer”.. I cannot wait to sit in front of the tabernacle there.
Jun 29, 5:22 PM
Simone (Guest): Also.. a big statue of The Sacred Heart of Jesus.. beautiful
un 29, 5:22 PMDawn (Guest): Sometimes putting a veil or large scarf over my head is helpful Simone
un 29, 5:23 PM
SrSusan (Guest): sounds special and very hopeful Simone
Jun 29, 5:23 PM
Carol (Guest): I’ll be right there Simone
un 29, 5:23 PMSimone (Guest): Dawn. thank you for reminding me.. I did that several years ago.. and you are right.. it really can help
un 29, 5:24 PMKathy (Guest): Simone, sometimes I find looking upward, wherever you are, is enough of a connection to God that brings comfort.
un 29, 5:25 PM
Carol (Guest): Often I close my eyes and that helps me
Jun 29, 5:25 PM
Dawn (Guest): Take care Betty God bless ,,,,!
Jun 29, 5:26 PM
Simone (Guest): I also close my eyes intuitively – in the living room with a big painting of Jesus with the sheep in his arm.. and he so lovingly looks at the sheep.. I love to start my prayers – imagining this gaze of love on me during my prayer
Jun 29, 5:26 PMSimone (Guest): But then – my daughter runs through the living room – and the dog follows her- excited with his toy in his mouth.. yup.. family life
un 29, 5:27 PM
Simone (Guest): yes Sister.. St. Francis would have said the very same thing
Jun 29, 5:28 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I need to share something=- it looks like I will be moving between Jul 31 and mid August and after that I cannot be here I will share more next wee when I know more
Jun 29, 5:28 PM
Carol (Guest): I would love to see that painting. ;I often start with images
Jun 29, 5:28 PM
Kathy (Guest): In a way, the conversation has gone back to quality vs quantity.
Jun 29, 5:28 PM
Simone (Guest): oh Sister.. the whole last week.. I was sensing that an announcement like this will come… I am praying…
Jun 29, 5:28 PM
Carol (Guest): In will pray Sr that there will be a way for us to continue together
Jun 29, 5:29 PM
SrSusan (Guest): AS long as the website stays up you can go on
Jun 29, 5:29 PM
Simone (Guest): God will show.. what the best way will be.
Jun 29, 5:29 PM
SrSusan (Guest): yes
un 29, 5:30 PM
SrSusan (Guest): May this week be blessed! Prayers for you!
Jun 29, 5:30 PM
Simone (Guest): I hope that He prepares your heart for the good bye. There are special graces when it is time to move on I find. May this grace come on you Sister
Jun 29, 5:30 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Thank you
Jun 29, 5:30 PM
Ruth (Guest): Simone, when I shared a small room with another woman in Paris, we agreed to use a Sign to indicate when we — either of us — wanted or needed silence. Putting on a hat indoors meant, “Please do not disturb me until I take it off, unless, of course it was something urgent.
Share
Tweet
6 online
Dawn
Kathy
Simone
Ruth
1 viewer
Jun 29, 5:28 PM
Carol (Guest): Kathy, it has
7 online
Bettychao
Ruth
Dawn
Simone
Kathy
1 viewer
Jun 29, 5:18 PM
2 viewers