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

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