At the February Family Formation parent talk, Father brought up the term FALSE PIETY. In his warning about false piety, he could have been speaking directly to me!
Had he heard past conversations of mine??
I like to have people over to our home, and I especially like to have priests and other religious visit our home. In fact, I think it's important to show our kids that priests and religious are normal people who have the same interests we might have ... they might enjoy sports, a game of cards, dessert, fishing, board games, quilting, a home-cooked meal, an occaisional beer, hunting, or whatever!
But do I invite priests, nuns or other religious to our home?
What is different is their vocation. Yes, our kids can see the priest on Sunday or at daily Mass; they can see the nuns minister to the elderly at the local nursing home, but how will our kids really know what a religious vocation is and entails unless we invite priests, nuns and other religious into our home?
No, Father hadn't heard my past conversations; and yes, I do invite priests and other religious to our home, but not very often. It has nothing to do with my house - my house is clean enough for a drop-by visitor on most days and on planned visits I'm happy with it's appearance. What stops me is that I know they are soooooo busy.
Visits with Father are booked months in advance; he has to be too busy for our family, right? Other people have more pressing needs and questions than I do. The priest couldn't possibly have time for me and my family; could he?? And if he did have a bit of time, wouldn't he appreciate not having to be anywhere?
See where I'm headed? That's false piety, exactly. And Father called me on it (privately) on that Wednesday night.
So, I got up my nerve and I waited - in line! - to speak to him Wednesday night. When it was my turn, I hesitantly asked if he'd be willing to visit our home, even though it's 100 miles out of town; and then I patiently waited for his reply. The answer was "Yes".
I knew the moment I asked what his answer would be; it was already written on his face. Now, I just need to make that phone call to schedule the actual visit. I have to call; he's expecting it!
Oh, my gosh!! I think the same thing! I also get nervous that I won't be able to talk about anything except religion.
ReplyDeleteOur priests have 3 very large parishes and I know they are very busy, and well, I could have written what you did!
Before moving up north I made it a point to have a priest over for supper at least once to meet our family.
ReplyDeleteAlso to bless our home. Have not done that yet since I have moved. Thanks for putting a bug in my ear!
Every time we've had one of our priests for dinner, it has been wonderful! Even though they are busy, I think they really appreciate being in the comfort of a home and in the company of a family. They get to know their parishioners, the ones they are shepherding ... But you have reminded me that we need to have our new pastor over soon. I gave myself a break when the twins were so new and needy, but now, I think it's time to get back on track! Who I'd really like to have over for dinner though—and get to know—is a sister ... I want my daughters to be exposed to the religious life, but we unfortunately don't know any sisters ...
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing this up, Suzie! I really need to finalize a date for our wonderful priests to come over. They were over for our Holy Communion/Confirmation party this May, but we need to have a less busy time for them to come. It just is disheartening to always have our house in remodeling shambles! 3 years of constant mess is very wearing, but wonderful on the pocketbook!
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