Going a bit overboard

 

                                                 Photo Credit: BBC

  

I hope you are all enjoying a restful and joy-filled Thanksgiving holiday.

I'm trying to work on my self-discipline overall, so I didn't do too much damage on Thanksgiving Day, but I must say, I think it is the days following I need to be extra careful about because of all the leftovers!

Everywhere I look, though, there are ads screaming at me that they have the best price or the thing I cannot live without. Everyone gets into it. From Catholic book sales online to retail stores, everyone has a deal.

Since I'm not a big shopper, it doesn't take all that much self-discipline to resist the ads. In fact, it all seems a bit over-the-top to me. If I'm going to enjoy a Black Friday sale, it is going to be for something I need.

The spending glut has gotten way out of control. Although it may not be as much fun, we would be far better off limiting what we buy (for people who already have everything) and using our money to lift up those who have their basic needs left unmet.

We may complain about the super-rich and how they spend their wealth, but do we look at ourselves in the same way and ask the same of ourselves? 

As we head into the First Sunday of Advent this weekend, it would be a good time to reconsider where we focus our attention. I have found that when you model your life around the Church cycle (beginning with Advent) it becomes glaringly clear that we, as a society, have become out-of-step with what's really important.

Advent is a time of waiting. It is an opportunity to dig deep into our spiritual life and practices. It is a time for quiet reflection and listening to God. We should be devoting most of our attention to that, starting this weekend.

I'm not saying we should not be giving gifts. That is a beautiful, fun, joyful thing to do. What I am saying is that we should practice some self-discipline and not go overboard. 

So pull out your Advent wreath this Sunday and light it up. Make it a tradition to pray around it. You'll be glad you did!

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

janetcassidy.com
https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/
https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy 

 

 

 

 

The truth is . . .

 

 

 Photo Credit: Creative Outlet

Years ago we ferried our car, pop-up trailer and kids to Beaver Island in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was really the first time I experienced what it meant to work without electricity and specifically for your daily sustenance.

I'm being a bit dramatic, but seriously, we had to do what was needed during the daylight hours because it was very black at night in the woods, and we had to figure out how to manage things without electricity. Even lanterns do not quite do it.

But we did manage to get in some wonderful day trips and I fell in love with the island and the super friendly people that would give a warm wave as we passed by.

I recently read a headline in our local paper that someone had figured out a way to make single-dwelling, rental housing units for the island.

My first thought was, "Why? Why would they do that and ruin the pristine nature of that beautiful island?"

Then, after reading the article, I understood more about the housing needs of the island and the pure intentions behind the idea.

It just goes to show you that you should not make a judgment about something after just reading a headline. Unless we are willing to dig a little deeper to understand whatever it is, we need to be careful about jumping to conclusions.

I think many people might be just "reading the headlines" when it comes to the Bible. Thinking they know what it's all about, many people draw inaccurate conclusions about it.

But the truth is, like the Beaver Island article, we must take the time to learn more and be open to understanding. If you are someone who has dismissed the Bible as a bunch of stories about people that are totally irrelevant today, or something that doesn't make sense to you, or that you have no need for, I encourage you to look closer.

God's Word is rich. When you do a deep dive and discover why it is necessary to our everyday life, you will never want to be without it. When God, the creator of all that is, speaks, we should listen.

But you do have to get past the headlines. Give it a try today.

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

janetcassidy.com
https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/
https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy 

No Internet? Oh My!

 

We had about a week of on-and-off service by our Internet provider who was apparently improving our service.

During that week I came to realize how much we depend on the Internet, and not just for scrolling and watching the news.

Think about it. Without the Internet, we were hard-pressed to find a telephone number. We don't have telephone books anymore, or the ability to dial "Information" (which was handy long ago.)

Our favorite television shows or the ability to stream something while exercising--gone. I resorted to the music on my phone (which actually wasn't so bad.) It was all I had.

The truth is, without online service, even doing basic things is limited. I don't think we realize how much we use it. Often today, we are sort of forced into it by offices and organizations that we need.

With our Internet back, I enjoyed watching the National Catholic Youth Conference today because Pope Leo joined the youth online, answering questions and connecting with them.

Worldwide, he reached over a million people. A great use of the Internet!

He spoke about balance in our lives. Also, among the many wise things he said, in response to a question, the Pope had the youth imagine what it would be like if AI went away. (A growing standard for many.)

Young people often rely on it for solutions to problems, homework help and essays.

Pope Leo spoke of the importance of still being able to think and grow and create within our humanity.

We must be careful, indeed, not to lose our ability to think and be creative, without always relying on outside sources, as the Pope said. 

Our young granddaughter was over the other day and we sat at the table with paper, markers and scissors. She rejected my idea of drawing a tree and decorating it, then cutting it out.

Her idea was to just start cutting, without anything being drawn. Oh dear, I thought, not being sure how that was going to work.

So I agreed and was shocked to see that she was able to cut out a beautifully shaped tree from her imagination--and then color it. 

In the same way, she produced a hummingbird as well. 

Me? I would have to draw it first, and then cut it out. 

We must allow, even our young ones, to use their imagination and not negate their (healthy) ideas, because they just might surprise us.

And for the record, no AI or Internet was used to produce her wonderful creations. 

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

janetcassidy.com
https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/
https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy  

 Here is the link to Pope Leo at NCYC. (He comes on at about 1:28):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpe2BSXdyJA