YES - Mediaeval Catholicism sowed an insidious notion that the pinnacle of piety is to deprive oneself of all earthly pleasures and live out one's days meditating on one's own sins in a drafty monastery; but Scripture paints quite another picture. We serve a God who gives us richly all things to enjoy! (1 Timothy 6:17)
I don't think this adds up in the end. Unless youre committed to and understand 'the resurrection of the body and life everlasting' and are strengthened by the sacraments particularly that of Penance and Holy Communion, you will fail when the going gets tough, which inevitably it will. (what are the chances of us suffering and dying? 100%) However, within the context of the Mass and the Sacraments as we work towards our eternal salvation, these temporal joys are helpful and reassuring along the way.
YES - Mediaeval Catholicism sowed an insidious notion that the pinnacle of piety is to deprive oneself of all earthly pleasures and live out one's days meditating on one's own sins in a drafty monastery; but Scripture paints quite another picture. We serve a God who gives us richly all things to enjoy! (1 Timothy 6:17)
I don't think this adds up in the end. Unless youre committed to and understand 'the resurrection of the body and life everlasting' and are strengthened by the sacraments particularly that of Penance and Holy Communion, you will fail when the going gets tough, which inevitably it will. (what are the chances of us suffering and dying? 100%) However, within the context of the Mass and the Sacraments as we work towards our eternal salvation, these temporal joys are helpful and reassuring along the way.
Amen, we’re often so easily distracted by what the world offers we miss the beauty of creation and the life God made us for.