I wonder about the wisdom of financial security. I mean, I wonder if the energy we put into trying to obtain financial security is worth it. With the stock market doing its thing, and in all reality the impotency of all of us to do anything substantive about it, perhaps it is time for us to admit we are dependent on powers greater than ourselves in the financial world. If only we could be assured these powers were benevolent…..
One of my friends, who is coming for a visit today, is an inspiration to me in this whole area. He seems to have a grasp on the idea that money is simply a tool, a means, not an ends. He uses it, and trusts in the future. I hope to get there someday.
I am conscious of my age. I am finding myself recollecting a lot in the past months, recalling places, things and people that were a part of my life so many years ago. I recall the times without frequent transportation to and from cities, without frequent telephone contact because of “long distance” costs, without brocolli and cauliflower, without linguine (just spaghetti) and prosciutto, without plane trips to the west coast or news of space flights. I remember the prairie when it was prairie. I remember when nearly all farmers also practice animal husbandry. I remember when grandma was as much a part of family life as was mom and dad. Seemed like life was simpler, more relaxed, more oriented to faith and love and hope.
Why is it that Archbishop Sheen was so popular on TV back in the 50s and 60s with both Catholics and non-Catholics, but you cannot seem to get such a spokesman past EWTN nowadays? Why have we become deaf to a prophet?
Johannes Metz wrote a small book entitled, Poverty of Spirit. In it he speaks of the poverty of provisionality, i.e., the necessity of having to do somethings over and over again. Can’t help but think of this as I am up on the ladder in recent days painting my house. Gotta be done. Will have to be done again someday. Hope there is something grace-full about it!
Talking about poverty, my dad used to say that we needed an “old fashioned depression” to “straighten out” society. I don’t think I can agree with dad here, God bless him, but maybe more of us could live with less and know what poverty and dependency really is. God knows millions do elsewhere.
Surprise, surprise… I am reading how people are talking about Obama being powerless to do much with the economic mess. Surprise, surprise… I read almost four years ago how people were talking about Bush being powerless to do much about the economic mess…. Surprise, surprise… Seems that Obama and Bush aren’t that different, are they? I just wish Obama would respect the unborn’s right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and he would see what is obvious that marriage can only be between one man and one woman if society is to be well-ordered and children are to be raised well.
If there are any men out there age 30 or older who want to explore a wonderful way of life, call up your local chancery office and inquire about the diaconate. Unbelievable vocation! You won’t be sorry.
If you have any answers to my questions above, drop a comment.
God bless all of you.
Deacon Bob
