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Fr. Scott Bailey, C.Ss.R.'s avatar

I think we forget that one of the things we were created for is labor. Adam was tasked with tending the Garden of Eden. However after the fall he had to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow.

Man no longer values labor and hard work. He is denied the satisfaction that comes from working, laboring, accomplishing tangible results. Man values wealth. It’s enshrined in our language which historically defines a gentleman as someone who doesn’t have to work for his money. It a legacy of Protestantism.

We’ve got it very wrong and we need to stop telling the lie. Man knows this instinctively yet often chooses to ignore it.

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Walther Cantu's avatar

Thank you for this. I do feel the pull between wanting to generate wealth and have "no worries" and the Benedictine Ora et Labora and St. Josemaria's message that our work can be turned into a prayer (I'm probably butchering his words).

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Fr. Scott Bailey, C.Ss.R.'s avatar

Being a husband and father is hard. I say this as a celibate man, so not from personal experience but from observing others. You are pulled in so many directions. Jesus is drawing you to Himself. Whatever pulls you away from Him is the devil. Unfortunately it’s not always easy to discern who’s doing the pulling.

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Fr. Scott Bailey, C.Ss.R.'s avatar

1. Lasagna.

2. Other than praying the Cardinal Electors will be open to the Holy Ghost it really hasn’t changed much.

3. Grow in love.

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Chantal LaFortune's avatar

1. Probably a gluten free casserole so that I don’t starve for the evening.

2. I’m both hopeful and afraid. Depending on how the conclave goes, I could lose my parish and see many good priests in my diocese suffer. I’ve been praying a novena to try to use this time well.

3. Travel around the country and Europe to visit beautiful shrines, see sacred art, and venerate the bodies of incorruptible saints.

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