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Post by Dr. Robert Gotcher on Jun 11, 2021 2:00:26 GMT
Do we have to fight the spiritual battle while on vacation?
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Post by Kevin Doll on Jun 7, 2023 16:01:56 GMT
We talked about this last night in small group and the answer is yes. Just because we take a break dose not mean the evil one takes a break. I believe he would be more active when we let our guard down. When we over eat and over drink and relax we are vulnerable. We must keep up are guard for when we come home if we fell away from God on our vacation how much harder it will be to get close to him again. Now I am all for going on vacation we go camping every summer but we keep up with prayer and going to Mass and seeing God in our vacation. In that way we keep close to him even if I am having my 4th smore of the evening. The battle is life long and we need God to help us fight the battle we can't do it alone. In John 3:30 it says he must increase but I must decrease. If we let our guard down we are increasing and God is decreasing. Satan will win the battle for that day. That is how he takes over one small battle after another until we give up.
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Post by Tom Brefka on Jun 7, 2023 19:28:00 GMT
It is so easy to relax on vacation and allow ourselves to give into many temptations. Even going to church on Sunday can be a spiritual battle when on vacation; I just want to sleep in, I don't know where the closest church is, no one will know me and I'll feel uncomfortable. The temptations go on and on to indulging too much on food and drink, going places we wouldn't think of going to while at home or watching shows that may not fit our moral values. The spiritual battle is more important during vacation, but that does not mean we can't take time to relax and recharge. There is a reason priests and others take sabbaticals to get refreshed and reinvigorated towards work and our spiritual life.
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jan
New Member
Posts: 9
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Post by jan on Jun 8, 2023 2:18:58 GMT
Yes, we do. Until you asked the question here, I never really thought about it. I am convinced we cannot let up. There aren't too many farmers who don't close the barn door because they "wanted a break". A willing suspension of discipline suggests an immature understanding of our concupiscence and the power of the evil one. his vigilance is intended just for moments like the vacation relaxing of disciplines. Our sins, even if atrophied and weak because of disciplines, need only the smallest encouragement to flare up and resume their battles. Should we indulge them, we undo much hard work.
Among the wonders of nature is constancy. What would we think if the moon were to vary in its rhythm or track? Apocalypse! If some spring, the tulips waited till August to show? Sins, and our sinful tendencies, are constant, persistent. Why would we give them opportunity? It has to be a steady battle against our inconstancy, brought about by our pride and its train of sins. The fable of the tortoise and the hare is apropos here. Every time the story is told, the tortoise wins. He does not stop for a break, he does not veer from the task, he does not suppose that a later, greater effort will supply for present lassitude. He is constant in his effort. If we are to win the battle, we must not take diversions.
As well, when we relax in our vigilance against our sin, we admit an ignorance about its power. Prov 6 has something to say here: Can a man carry fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk upon hot coals and his feet not be scorched? (6.27,28) In those moments of relaxation, we are declaring the sin is not what it really is, that it will not be itself to/in me this time. Vacations are times to rest our bodies and spirits, to see new things, to relish old. It is not a time to encourage Old Scratch.
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Post by Rich Fedor on Jun 9, 2023 18:48:08 GMT
Yes, we must fight the spiritual battle at all times. God willing, the battles will be less intense when we desire a break. However, Satan is always looking for an opportunity to attack us. 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour." Paragraph 2088 of the Catechism states, "The first commandment requires us to nourish and protect our faith with prudence and vigilance, and to reject everything that is opposed to it." To me, vigilance and prudence go hand in hand. When I relax and let my guard down, there is a greater chance that my decision making will not be at its best. There have been times in my life that I have spent more money than I normally would have or have had one (or more) drink too many while on vacation. This isn't to say that vacation is not a good thing. However, it would be prudent to remain vigilant while on vacation if I recognize that it is easier to faulter in these circumstances. If the devil is prowling like a lion, then this implies that he is more inclined to attack when I am at my weakest or not paying attention. Satan would love for me to come home from a nice vacation and experience the angst of stressing over not having enough money for the things my family needs because I got carried away with the credit card. So whether it is on vacation, or any other aspect of my life in which I may have a tendency to let my guard down, I must remain vigilant because the spiritual battle rages, especially when I am paying the least attention to it.
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Post by Chris Lauterbach on Jun 10, 2023 14:38:18 GMT
When reading St Theresa of Avila, I get the impression it is a trick question. When we think of vacation, we think of "tuning out" and disconnecting for our own pleasure. Both St Theresa of Avila, and St Therese of Liseux did not view anything other that God as a source of pleasure. The closer they got in communion with God, the more they suffered. I did not see vacation as something they would have considered. However, you could make the argument that Jesus stepped away from time to time, but I don't think that is considered a vacation. In ministry it is very easy to become overwhelmed and we will need to take time for ourselves, but I think it would be a more reflective time away. I think of various retreats, and forms of contemplation to recharge. If we are able to be ordained, we must be careful at every step to not become complacent, or overwhelmed. I think that is when the devil does his best work.
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