Another Christmas has past. There is nothing better than a well done Christmas Liturgy. What's better than hearing a well rehearsed choir sing "Silent Night," on Christmas Eve, in a beautiful, well decorated Church, with family. For me, it doesn't get much better than that.
Christmas is such a beautiful feast, if only all God's children could appreciate the significance of Christmas and what it means for humankind. If only all God's children had enough to eat, a place to call home, people who care for them and a place to worship God.
If only the very rich would do more to help the less fortunate.
If only there was peace on earth and good will towards all.
If only there was more tolerance and understanding and the teachings of Jesus were lived out and acted upon by all Christians.
If only care for the earth would be of concern to all and Pope Francis' encyclical, "Laudato Si-On Care for our Common Home," be appreciated and given priority.
It could happen. Perhaps in the future, humankind will finally get it right.
Christians have to live in hope and so I hope and pray the future and that the next decade in particular will be good and healing for the earth and good for all God's children.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
NJA
Thursday, December 26, 2019
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Consumerism Is Alive and Well-In Me and Others-Advent 2019
Incredibly Black Friday shoppers spent $7.4 billion dollars online. On Cyber Monday holiday shoppers spent $9.4 billion dollars online (that was up almost 20% from last year). From November 1st-December 2nd 2019, holiday shoppers have spent 81.5 billion dollars. People are not only buying more items, they are buying more expensive items.
Before I go on, I have to admit that I love to shop. I love to buy presents for other people and I also like buying things for myself. I also like giving stuff away, which I often do.
Having said that, it appears that Pope Francis' call in his Advent homily to "resist the dazzling lights of consumerism, which will shine everywhere this month, and believe that prayer and charity are not lost time, but the greatest treasures," will need more teachings.
He also said, "The meaning of life is not to accumulate." That, of course, is so true. But the bottom line is that, like me, a lot of people like to shop. Even spiritual/religious people, who believe they can (at least I think I can) be spiritual/religious and find time for prayer, Scripture study, volunteer work, Mass, spiritual reading and religious TV shows (as well as Netflix) and still find time to shop.
Am I defending shopping? Yes, I am.
Should faith-filled people spend more time in prayer, in worship, engaged in spiritual reading, bible study and doing good? Of course.
Can we all find a balance? I hope so, because people are not going to stop shopping, especially when Amazon makes it so easy and with one click the item or items are at your front door, the next day.
So as the world becomes more technological and more and more people shop online, people of faith can only hope and pray that people find space for God, time for prayer and for helping others.
Giving Tuesday, the movement described as the "biggest generosity movement of all time," is gaining traction and people are not only donating money but helping others and volunteering. So that's good news.
A Blessed Advent!
NJA
Before I go on, I have to admit that I love to shop. I love to buy presents for other people and I also like buying things for myself. I also like giving stuff away, which I often do.
Having said that, it appears that Pope Francis' call in his Advent homily to "resist the dazzling lights of consumerism, which will shine everywhere this month, and believe that prayer and charity are not lost time, but the greatest treasures," will need more teachings.
He also said, "The meaning of life is not to accumulate." That, of course, is so true. But the bottom line is that, like me, a lot of people like to shop. Even spiritual/religious people, who believe they can (at least I think I can) be spiritual/religious and find time for prayer, Scripture study, volunteer work, Mass, spiritual reading and religious TV shows (as well as Netflix) and still find time to shop.
Am I defending shopping? Yes, I am.
Should faith-filled people spend more time in prayer, in worship, engaged in spiritual reading, bible study and doing good? Of course.
Can we all find a balance? I hope so, because people are not going to stop shopping, especially when Amazon makes it so easy and with one click the item or items are at your front door, the next day.
So as the world becomes more technological and more and more people shop online, people of faith can only hope and pray that people find space for God, time for prayer and for helping others.
Giving Tuesday, the movement described as the "biggest generosity movement of all time," is gaining traction and people are not only donating money but helping others and volunteering. So that's good news.
A Blessed Advent!
NJA
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