{"id":423,"date":"2014-03-27T14:59:21","date_gmt":"2014-03-27T19:59:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jenniferfitz\/?p=423"},"modified":"2016-11-11T12:32:05","modified_gmt":"2016-11-11T17:32:05","slug":"how-can-the-spirtually-flabby-be-helped","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jenniferfitz\/2014\/03\/how-can-the-spirtually-flabby-be-helped\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can the Spiritually Flabby Be Helped?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"Fill<\/a>So there are these people at your parish who fail to meet spec.\u00a0 Too much bacon, not enough Mass-going, and sheesh have you seen they way they ______? At New Evangelizers today, I propose that you who have your act together quit whining and make yourself useful for a change<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What do you do with a parish full of out-of-shape Christians?\u00a0 Well, you can throw a temper tantrum, but that\u2019ll just tip your hand \u2014 everyone will find out you\u2019re one of the weaklings, too.<\/p>\n

But let\u2019s say you really do want to help coach along one or two friends in the faith: You want to help them get into spiritual shape, but without giving them a heart attack in the process.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I mention the side effect they might not have told you about when you had\u00a0 your log-ectomy done, and that can derail your efforts if you don\u2019t watch out:<\/p>\n

While it is good to grow in the virtues of forbearance and long suffering, it\u2019s not good to tempt yourself beyond your strength.\u00a0 If you find yourself devolving into anger and insults, it\u2019s time to back away and prayerfully retreat.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And how to make yourself fit for service:<\/p>\n

Pray, fast, and give alms to the extent of your ability, and then quietly add just a tiny bit more: Enough that you, too, are utterly dependent on the grace of God, and you know it.<\/p>\n

If you wish to be any good to the weak, you must yourself live at the point of weakness.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Then I finish with some thoughts about what evangelization really is, and what part your parish community plays in it all.\u00a0 Takeaway point: You are needed.\u00a0 Read the whole thing here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

So there are these people at your parish who fail to meet spec.\u00a0 Too much bacon, not enough Mass-going, and sheesh have you seen they way they ______? At New Evangelizers today, I propose that you who have your act together quit whining and make yourself useful for a change. What do you do with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1209,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[97,44,7,51,110,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-423","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-catechesis-2","category-church-craziness","category-evangelization","category-forgiveness","category-rant-o-rama","category-stick-that-corner"],"yoast_head":"\nHow Can the Spiritually Flabby Be Helped?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"So there are these people at your parish who fail to meet spec.\u00a0 Too much bacon, not enough Mass-going, and sheesh have you seen they way they ______? 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