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With Your Rule
Avoiding Laxity
"Neither let there be laxity [when following the rule]. A lack of mortification, the mere desire to prolong conversations without necessity, curiosity, etc, are not adequate reasons for deferring the performance of a given exercise, at the risk of omitting it altogether. Likewise, if the accomplishment of certain duties in the usual manner becomes impossible, we must strive to comply therewith in another way."
Fr Adolph Tanquerey, "The Spiritual Life", Belgium, Desclee & C0, 1930, p275
posted by Holly at 8:03 AM
1 Comments:
We can get off track in our Mother's Rule either by doing too much (perfectionism) or by doing too little (laxity)!
The crux of laxity is that we do not move into our next duty because we "don't want to", finding instead something else that suits our fancy, which is more attractive, more personally convenient. In other words, laxity says, "Oh, skip it this time" for no good reason, or "Oh, I think I'll just sit and read for a little bit instead" without any intent to make it up later.
The key point is our 'motive'. If homeschooling is flowing really well and we want to help the kids finish a project - this is valid. If cleaning out the storeroom is almost done and to leave it would cause a mess for 24 hours - this is valid. If my daughter just needs me to chat - this is valid. If I am mentally discombobulated and need a coffee break to regain my strength - this too can be valid!
If there is a real reason to omit an 'essential' duty, we need to ensure that we accomplish it some time during the day, and before we head off into personal leisure time.
But if I avoid my duties for no real reason, out of whim or necessity, then I am being lax. We can tell pretty well if we're just trying to escape an unpleasant chore.
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