Discouragement Hits Everyone Eventually

JMJ

So, Peter Skojec appears to be feeling discouraged and maybe a little battle weary. I get it and I understand how this happens. I've been there myself.

Here's the advice that I received / gave to Peter in a comment.

I hope it helps!

P^3

I arrived at a similar spot a few years back and here's the advice that I received from a priest that helped me immensely:

1. If you let your cup of grace empty - you will fall.
2. Studying does not 'fill' your cup.
3. You need to keep your cup full and only share the excess.
4. You keep your cup full by having a strong spiritual life. Start with spiritual reading, if something 'strikes' pause, pray/meditate/contemplate what resonated.

It was good advice and although I deviate from it sometimes, it is still good.

Something else that helps is to remember:
1. The first soul you have to save is your own. Do your duty of state.
2. ... then the souls of those for whom you are responsible (Wife and children)
3. ... then the souls of your extended family ...
...
X. Then there's the rest of the world.

Wisdom is seeing what is your responsibility and what is God's.

So, do your part, but don't try to do God's part.

Comments

Facts and Opinions - An Explanation

+ JMJ When a person's assumptions are events outside of their control they form an opinion and, in my experience, assert this opinion to be fact. So ... it is important to define some terms:

The Curious Case of Steve Skojec and the Dangers of Deep Diving into the Crisis Sub-Titled: The Failings of Others

+ JMJ It's been a while now since Steve Skojec sold 1P5 and abandoned the Catholic Faith. I've been a 'Trad' since 1982 and in those 40+ years I seen this death-spiral before with a similar end point. It seems that anyone who jumps into the fray unprepared for the enormous task of righting wrongs will, eventually, become discouraged by not the task but the people who surround them. I remember when Skojec complained of the treatment his family received from a traditional priest. This seems to have been the start of the end for him. So what can we learn from the likes of Steve Skojec, Michael Voris (maybe?), Louie Verrecchio, Gerry Matatix and other celebrity Catholics? Probably quite a lot about what not to do. First, don't burn out on the crisis? When you burn out, on work or anything else, little things assume a more greater importance than they are due. This is one of my 'canary in the coal mine' signals that I've been stretching myself too thin

Morning and Evening and other sundry Prayers

+ JMJ Along the theme of P^3 (Prayer, Penance, Patience), and for my own reference ... here is a collection of Morning and Evening prayers from the Ideal Daily Missal along with some additional prayers. In this crisis of the Church, I do not think it is possible to do too much prayer, penance and have patience. P^3

Thirty Days Prayer to Our Lady -

+ JMJ Providence has cast this prayer in my path twice in the last week. I decided to post it here in order to have a copy handy. P^3 Prayer Penance Patience Source Intro Prayer With the condition of affairs in the cultural, political and physical world in a state of disarray we enter Lent - Ash Wednesday - February 25th - 2004 - more compelled then ever to pursue, diligently and faithfully, our personal road to holiness. It is a long, difficult path each of us treads, however, we do know the journey can be sweeter and more blessed if we travel it with others. Jesus has told us: "Wherever two or more are gathered in my name, I am with you." And there are many other biblical passages, as well, that urge us to love and help one another. A 'Thirty Day Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary ' was said by many Catholics during troubled times in their lives up until Vatican II. While looking through old stored away boxes, I came across a small white prayer b

Kuala Lumpur warns faithful about the SSPX

+ JMJ A couple of humorous perspectives: Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SSPX), a chapel not recognized by the Archdiocese I guess they are no longer able to recognize what is authentically Catholic vs inculturated ... :-) The views of the SSPX also dissent from the teachings of the Second Vatican Council This is a little outdated ... I wish I knew what exactly they are talking about and how to square the circle with pre-conciliar Catholic Teaching. and they have serious questions about the order of mass promulgated by Pope St. Paul VI Darn tooting they are serious questions, I'm glad they have admitted that the questions posed by the SSPX are serious and meriting a serious answer. But we already know the answer to one of them: As for the use of the 1962 Missal as a Forma extraordinaria of the liturgy of the Mass, I would like to draw attention to the fact that this Missal was never juridically abrogated and, consequently, in principle, was always p

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