Saturday, October 31, 2009

Joining In

This summer we joined a smaller, more traditional parish. We needed a place where we couldn't be anonymous anymore.

But where would we fit in? We don't homeschool, we can't sing, and we're still moving our lips whenever Latin is involved.

Enter the Legion of Mary, an apostolic organization being planted at our church. There are no dues, but a great deal of rigor: daily prayer and 2 hours a week devoted to spiritual works of mercy.

When it comes to corporal works, I'm in my element. Need the naked clothed or the sick visited? I'm your gal.

But all this time, have I actually been hiding behind a casserole dish? How often have I met someone's material needs as a way of sidestepping deeper issues of the soul?

Helping carry someone's cross sounds a lot harder than bringing another fruit basket. I'll let you know if I can rise to the challenge.
Posted by Meredith at 5:45 PM
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5 comments:

  1. I think you're better at this than you realize. You were an enormous amount of comfort during my rough time with Emma. You'll rise to it, of this I am sure.
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  2. Wow! There is so much in this short post. Your comfort level with the corporal works is a strong foundation for trying something new--one step at a time.
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  3. Meredith, when I started my family (and, simultaneously, my faith), I had no idea how to do either corporal or spiritual works!!

    But I can guarantee that when you start with your family and have an open heart, the Lord will teach you what He wants you to do.

    So you easily spend that much time doing spiritual works with your children (2 hours a week to admonish the sinner?? Not nearly enough time!:)... and yes, time spent with one's children counts!

    Be patient with yourself, don't compare yourself with ANYONE, ask Our Lady to show you, and you will figure it out. It might take years, you know, and of course, there is that little paradox of the more you know, the more you find you don't know...:)
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  4. Leila--you made me laugh! My kids are in school four days a week, yet I get manage far more than 2 hours a week of admonishment. ;o) Teaching the ignorant--far more than 2 hours a week as well...in fact, families are hotbeds of most of the works of mercy. I agree with your advice not to compare yourself with anyone! God has a plan for you and your family that unfolds over time. He is faithful, and will show you the way.
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  5. Thanks for the good advice, ladies. We were already putting in about that much time in other projects of our own making; this will be 2 hours of works a week assigned by our priest. I think the weekly accountability and spiritual direction will help me in the primary challenge--carrying these out in the home.
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