O Método de São Josemaría Escrivá para NÃO FALHAR em seus Propósitos (As 3 REGRAS)

Summary

This video explores the wisdom of St. Josemaria Escriva, offering powerful advice for spiritual growth in the new year. He teaches us to make fewer, concrete resolutions, focusing on one or two key areas for improvement, instead of overwhelming ourselves with many goals. The video emphasizes the importance of humility, specific action steps, and reliance on God's grace. With a focus on consistency over perfection, viewers are encouraged to make meaningful, achievable spiritual commitments and to rise from setbacks with God's help, ultimately striving for authentic transformation rather than superficial success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus on a few specific goals, not a long list of vague resolutions. Narrowing down to what truly matters increases success and prevents overwhelm.
• 😀 Spiritual growth requires humility and realism. Don't aim for perfection in every area; choose one key area to focus on for improvement.
• 😀 Concrete, actionable goals are essential. Instead of vague goals like 'be more patient', set specific actions like 'I will pray when I feel frustrated'.
• 😀 Trust in God's grace. Your goals are not only about your willpower—God's help is necessary for true transformation and success.
• 😀 Acknowledge your limitations and weaknesses. Trying to tackle everything at once often leads to failure—choose the biggest issue to work on.
• 😀 Small, consistent actions lead to lasting change. Like the donkey turning the wheel every day, focus on routine and perseverance for growth.
• 😀 Be patient with yourself when you fail. Don't give up when you fall short—God’s grace is more willing to forgive than we are to keep trying.
• 😀 The key to real spiritual transformation lies in re-evaluating your goals regularly and making them more focused and tangible.
• 😀 Spiritual resolutions should not be about ego or self-improvement; they are promises made to God and should be approached with humility.
• 😀 True success in your spiritual journey comes from consistency and a humble heart, not from grand gestures or unrealistic expectations.

Q & A

Why does St. Josemaría Escrivá recommend making few purposes for the year?

St. Josemaría Escrivá advises making few purposes because attempting too many goals at once leads to distraction and failure. Focusing on one or two key areas, especially identifying a dominant defect to work on, increases the chances of success and spiritual growth. This approach emphasizes humility and realism rather than perfectionism.

What is the danger of setting abstract goals like 'I want to be more patient'?

Abstract goals like 'I want to be more patient' are vague and hard to measure, making them ineffective. Concrete goals, on the other hand, provide clear actions that can be tracked. For example, replacing abstract patience with specific actions, like 'I will not complain about traffic and will pray a Hail Mary when someone cuts me off,' ensures measurable progress.

What does St. Josemaría mean by 'with the help of God' in the context of setting goals?

St. Josemaría emphasizes that achieving spiritual goals requires God's grace, not just personal effort. Without God's help, our efforts are insufficient. The phrase 'with the help of God' reminds us to rely on divine assistance and not on our own strength, acknowledging that failure is inevitable without God's mercy.

Why is it important to focus on a single, concrete goal instead of multiple resolutions?

Focusing on a single, concrete goal allows for deep concentration and true transformation. By targeting one area, like overcoming a particular vice, a person can see tangible progress, whereas spreading oneself thin over many resolutions often leads to failure and frustration.

What is the 'dominant defect' in spiritual life, and why should it be addressed first?

The dominant defect is the primary vice or weakness that influences other faults. It could be laziness, pride, anger, or another negative trait. Addressing this defect first is crucial because overcoming it creates a ripple effect, making it easier to deal with other weaknesses and fostering overall spiritual growth.

How does St. Josemaría Escrivá define the concept of the 'heroic minute'?

The 'heroic minute' refers to the precise moment when a person decides to get up without hesitation, without hitting the snooze button. It is a concrete action that tests one's willpower and commitment to discipline, offering an immediate opportunity for spiritual growth and mortification.

What role does God's grace play in the success of spiritual resolutions?

God's grace is essential in fulfilling spiritual resolutions. While personal effort and discipline are important, they are insufficient without God's intervention. St. Josemaría teaches that true success in our spiritual goals comes from relying on God's grace, which helps us rise after failure and continue our journey.

Why does the speaker compare spiritual goals to the actions of the donkey of Nora?

The donkey of Nora is used as a metaphor for spiritual perseverance. Though the donkey moves in circles, it consistently draws water from the well, symbolizing the steady, humble efforts required for spiritual growth. Similarly, small, consistent actions in the right direction lead to substantial progress, even if they seem repetitive or unnoticed.

What is the danger of abandoning resolutions after failure, and how should one respond to failure?

Abandoning resolutions after failure is a common pitfall that leads to discouragement. The proper response to failure is not self-pity or giving up, but to acknowledge our weakness, ask for God's forgiveness, and immediately try again. Spiritual growth involves rising after each fall, with humility and perseverance.

How can making concrete resolutions lead to deeper spiritual growth compared to vague goals?

Concrete resolutions are measurable and actionable, making it easier to track progress and build good habits. For example, rather than making a vague resolution to 'pray more,' a concrete resolution might be 'I will pray the Rosary every night before bed.' This specificity encourages real, consistent action, which leads to deeper spiritual growth and a more grounded connection with God.