|
Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.
This week while straightening up my home office I stopped to look through a couple of unopened magazines. Flipping through the pages, mostly advertisements of upscale kitchens and appliances, beautiful destinations and gourmet recipes, I was struck with how out of touch with the real world these types of magazines can be and how they influence our thinking. The rooms in my house do not meet the standards of the ones in the magazine, nor are my family gatherings as picture-perfect. What was being presented as reality was really fantasy.
As I turned page after page looking for a recipe that was not so gourmet my husband or grandchildren would question my sanity the final straw was a machine that instantly offers ice in the mold of your choice. It made me laugh and realize it was time to cancel the subscription.
Few of us would easily give up our creature comforts. We have worked hard for them. However, with so many people living at or below the poverty level there needs to be a conversation on how we can better share resources with each other.
It is difficult to understand how billions of dollars will be spent on political campaigns over the next year when many people sleep on the streets of our cities and many families lack proper nutrition due to the price of food. Could there be a better way?
Is it possible to have a serious conversation on how to welcome strangers and create policies that address the needs of families fleeing poverty and violence in other countries?
Are these merely political issues or are they issues we would benefit from hearing about and talking about in our parish and school communities?
Those who are considered first in society are usually those with power and wealth and those considered last are those who have little in terms of material goods. Jesus always advocated for those who were last – the poor and the marginalized. Our calling is to do the same. There are policies and procedures that can be changed in many parishes, schools and organizations that would free up resources to assist people in need. Perhaps now is the time to speak up to bring about change.
Peace,
Anne
| 
