Chateau Lloyd

One of the many sacrifices of Lent is the practice of praying only the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.  I like the variety, and freely admit that because I know Lent will be all-Sorrowful-all the time, I tend to shy away from Fridays just for the sake of variety.

Today on Aleteia, I saw a fun suggestion that one should say the Joyful Mysteries during Advent.  I don't get many opportunities to say these as Mondays and Saturdays are busy days for me, but today I set aside the Glorious Mysteries and enjoyed the experience.  

Something I've learned over the years is that prayer is something you should do, but be careful that you don't push yourself too hard into it, lest it become a chore or a burden.  I typically say a Rosary a week, but sometimes I will do more if the spirit takes me.

My prayer life is becoming deeper, but here again, I try not to force the issue but instead let myself be drawn deeper into it.

If I have learned anything over the years, it is that while discipline is important, one can compel affection or order someone (including yourself) to feel a certain way.  A better way is to set the table for good feelings - faith - love - to emerge and then enjoy them without trying to stretch them too far.

And yes changing things up keeps it all interesting.  Going to Mass on Monday was a delight, in large part because the parish students are so endearing when they belt out the hymns at the top of their lungs.

I guess it's a fine line between the satisfaction of meeting ones obligations and going beyond now and again because you feel like it.