Consumerism and the Dignity of Man
Dear Friends,
There has been lively debate in the media over whether it is a good idea for stores to start their Black Friday sales on Thursday
evening -- if the consumerism mentality tarnishes the Thanksgiving
holiday and Christmas Season. The question as to whether Black Friday tarnishes Thanksgiving and Christmas has become moot since it seems Black Friday
has become its very own holiday. People anticipate it and faithfully
observe it every year. Throughout the nation, people are absent from
work in observance. Ads running on TV put lyrics about shopping to the
tune of famous holiday jingles. The media, advertising industry and
large retail stores speak of the day as if it were a major federal or
religious holiday.
Many Americans have bought into the hype. Even economists and financiers join in the frenzy: Like prophets proclaiming gloom and doom, they give predictions to the financial success and failures. The message of the "Good News" of Black Friday: happiness is found in material goods -- the more you have, the happier you'll be.
We have to ask ourselves: What are the long-term affects of a culture that places its value in things and not on the value of the human person?
Pope Francis recently called consumerism a poison that threatens true happiness because it is based in empty promises. "[T]he true treasure is the love of God shared with our brethren. That love which comes from God and enables us to share it with one another and to help each other." The illusion created by the culture of consumerism doesn't lead to a happier society, but one of gluttony, lust, greed and spiritual poverty, where desires can never be fully satiated. Such an illusion diminishes the identity of the human person and defines him by what he has and not who he is.
Continue reading on HLI.org...
Many Americans have bought into the hype. Even economists and financiers join in the frenzy: Like prophets proclaiming gloom and doom, they give predictions to the financial success and failures. The message of the "Good News" of Black Friday: happiness is found in material goods -- the more you have, the happier you'll be.
We have to ask ourselves: What are the long-term affects of a culture that places its value in things and not on the value of the human person?
Pope Francis recently called consumerism a poison that threatens true happiness because it is based in empty promises. "[T]he true treasure is the love of God shared with our brethren. That love which comes from God and enables us to share it with one another and to help each other." The illusion created by the culture of consumerism doesn't lead to a happier society, but one of gluttony, lust, greed and spiritual poverty, where desires can never be fully satiated. Such an illusion diminishes the identity of the human person and defines him by what he has and not who he is.
Continue reading on HLI.org...
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Shenan J. Boquet
President, Human Life International
HLI in Latin America
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by HLI Staff
During the VI International Pro-life Congress which took place in Guayaquil, Ecuador this month, Magaly Llaguno was posthumously awarded a special "Humanity Award" for her many years tirelessly working to defend life and family in Latin America. Read More...
Ocean to Ocean Pilgrimage
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by Fr. Peter West
The
Church was overflowing with about 600 young adults. I had the
opportunity to address them about the icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa
and the From Ocean to Ocean Pilgrimage in Defense of Life before the
Franciscan Friars exposed the Blessed Sacrament and prayed Vespers. Read More...
by Fr. Peter West
In
his homily, which he gave mostly in Polish, Archbishop Wenski
encouraged the people to be faithful to their spiritual heritage to
build a better world and with respect for human life, to maintain their
Catholic faith and strong relationship with God and invoke the
intercession of she who was chosen as the Queen and Advocate of the our
nation, Mary, Mother of Christ the Lord. Read More...
