Reflection & Prayer – November 27, 2020
Story of Michael
By his mid 30s Michael became a successful entrepreneur and social activist for his community in Birmingham, Alabama. After a life of hardship, growing up to a single mom, making bad financial decisions that cost him his home, car and first business, Michael felt that he finally “rose from the ashes.”
By Teddy Osterblom from Unsplash
Mike was on his way to pick up his mat black 2019 Audi A7. It was going to be the first new car he has ever owned. Mike arrives at the dealership, he’s handed the keys, and off he drives.
He pulled out of the dealership in his brand new Audi and rolled to a stop at a red light. While waiting at the lights Mike noticed a trailer pulling into the dealership carrying the 2020 models of the car he just bought.
The adrenaline he felt from driving his new Audi for less than a minute immediately disappeared as his eyes watered over the newest model. He quickly turned around and entered the dealership desperate to buy a 2020 model.
Thankfully for Mike, sanity kicked in when he realised that, not only could he not afford the latest model, but that he would lose 25% on the car he just got minutes ago.
Black Friday and Consumerism
As many people in the world flock to get the best deals on this Black Friday and the upcoming Cyber Monday, Michael’s story should remind us of one important lesson:
We have the tendency to confuse gratification with satisfaction.
Gratification is a high that never fulfils itself.
If you’ve ever bought something only to forget about it a short while later, you know things do not satisfy. Things do not satisfy our longing for fulfillment and peace. In fact they do the opposite, they disturb our peace.
It’s ok to like nice and shiny things, but it’s not ok for your desire for these things to control you.
Finally, when you do shop, be conscious of the items you are buying. Recognize that every item you purchase has the fingerprints of another human being on it. The question to ask yourself, do those finger prints belong to someone who received a fair, living wage or to someone who has been unjustly exploited.
Jesus says, ‘What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?“
Regarding consumerism…
Carolyn Knapp says “Consumerism thrives on emotional voids.”
Former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter said, “Too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and pleasure.”
Archbishop Fulton Sheen said, “Advertising tries to stimulate our sensuous desires, converting luxuries into necessities, but it only intensifies man’s inner misery. The business world is bent on creating hungers which its wares never satisfy, and thus it adds to the frustrations and broken minds of our times.”
Let us pray,
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
Lord Jesus, I thank you for all the good possessions in my life. On this Black Friday help me to recognize the human value attached to all my belongings. Help me to recognize that real fulfilment does not come from things, but from a solid friendship with you. I pray for the people around the world who endure unjust working conditions only to make ends meet. Help us as a society to recognize the inherent dignity of every human person, especially exploited workers around the globe who are fighting for their dignity day in and day out.
We make this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit