We should try not to think of anything at the Liturgy other than what we are doing there.
I know this is not always easy. But those who are engaged in business should put aside thoughts of customers and projects. Those who are busy with family should put aside thoughts of cooking and cleaning. Those engaged in study should put aside thoughts of assignments and classes.
We should try to enter into each prayer as it is prayed so that the prayers become our own words and our own offering to God. And if it sometimes seems that we do not have a warm sense of God's presence then we should ask that He might grant us this grace, always reminding ourselves that it is because of the dimness and weakness of our spiritual sight, which so easily becomes clouded, that we cannot see the eternal and uncreated glory of God shining all around us.
It is good to be interested in sport, or in anything which stretches us mentally and physically, but it is always wise to consider whether those things to which we commit our time and energies has eternal value. Being fit and having friendships with others who enjoy sport is good, but only in a proper relationship with being committed to our spiritual health, and the wellbeing of others.
If you think about improving yoiur game, but do not think about improving your relationship with God, then there is a problem. However, if your relationship with God comes first then this will lead you to find a proper balance.
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I know this is not always easy. But those who are engaged in business should put aside thoughts of customers and projects. Those who are busy with family should put aside thoughts of cooking and cleaning. Those engaged in study should put aside thoughts of assignments and classes.
We should try to enter into each prayer as it is prayed so that the prayers become our own words and our own offering to God. And if it sometimes seems that we do not have a warm sense of God's presence then we should ask that He might grant us this grace, always reminding ourselves that it is because of the dimness and weakness of our spiritual sight, which so easily becomes clouded, that we cannot see the eternal and uncreated glory of God shining all around us.
It is good to be interested in sport, or in anything which stretches us mentally and physically, but it is always wise to consider whether those things to which we commit our time and energies has eternal value. Being fit and having friendships with others who enjoy sport is good, but only in a proper relationship with being committed to our spiritual health, and the wellbeing of others.
If you think about improving yoiur game, but do not think about improving your relationship with God, then there is a problem. However, if your relationship with God comes first then this will lead you to find a proper balance.
God bless you
Father Peter