Latest News
Consumerism
This morning I caught a few moments of the Today show. They did a segment on how retailers like Walmart- will happily cash your stimulus check. Other retailers will give you more $ if you hand them your check for a gift card from their store. The message is Consume! Consume! Interestingly, it is anticipated that most people’s checks are going to be spent on necessities- gas and food. The cost of living is high right now- how then do we consume responsibly? How do we watch out for our neighbor who may not have enough for rent, utilities or food this month?
It is so easy to be tricked into believing that our happiness comes from the things that we own, the stuff in our closets. One sign of our wealth is all the extra stuff and storage space we use. Our closets are full. Our pantries are full. Yet it is so easy to feel and think we need more. Catholic worker and social activist, Dorothy Day said, “If you have two coats one of them belongs to the poor.” Similarly in Luke 3:11,”In reply [John the Baptist] said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise. We are challenged to take an active role in the redistribution of our wealth. I admire how John and Liz regularly give away the unused items in their house. They also have the rule that they don’t buy something new without getting rid of something.
Why do we consume responsibly? It is good for us. We are happier, healthier and freer. It is better for the environment. It is better for our neighbors here and around the world.
Ways to clean out:
- Pantry Challenge : How long could our family eat from the food in our house without going to grocery store? *You are allowed to buy staples, like milk, eggs, butter, fruits and vegetables if you don’t have any in the freezer or pantry and any food that is part of a prescribed health regimen. Other than that, everything you serve should come from your pantry, refrigerator or freezer. How long will it take?
- Take things to Good Will or the Baltimore Free Store
- Or have donations picked up at your house (e.g. American Vets, Purple Heart, etc.)
