Black Friday

This week is the last week in Ordinary Time and next week, Advent begins.  What a beautiful time of year it is!  Today we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, a feast instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI to honor Christ’s Kingship.    He was trying to combat secularism which was overtaking us, even a century ago.

This Thursday of course we celebrate Thanksgiving.  A time to reflect on all the gifts we have received from our Lord, our lives, our families, homes, cars, jobs, etc.  It is also a time to pray in thanksgiving for all those wonderful graces and blessings we have received.

So in the midst of this celebration of Christ the King, Thanksgiving and in anticipation of the Advent season, we have what has commonly been called Black Friday.  What is Black Friday?  Some say it is the largest shopping day of the year (and has been since 2003), some say it is the day most retailers get out of the “red” and into the “black” on their ledgers, I say it’s a shame.

This is a day which seems to be solely dedicated to obtaining “stuff.”  I don’t know about you, but I certainly don’t need anymore “stuff.”  In fact, I’ve been slowly getting rid of “stuff” and certainly not with the intent to replace it, but to just simplify.  To rid my life of things I no longer need, use or desire.  I’ve discovered that there is no tangible thing on earth I can take with me when I die and that most of the things I do have, really aren’t of value to anyone except me.  Except my books maybe, I do like my books! Hey, no one’s perfect!

Black Friday has gotten so out of hand that it has actually started on Thursday for some retailers.  Thanksgiving!  We can’t even be thankful for one whole day without rushing out to obtain more stuff!  What could you possibly need so badly that you must go out for it on Thanksgiving, when you should be spending time with family and friends?

Aside from obtaining more “stuff” I can’t figure out what is appealing about Black Friday.  Keep in mind, I don’t like to shop even on a good day, but this day seems to be crazy.  People are cranky because they’ve gotten up before the crack of dawn to get to the stores, they are bound and determined to obtain the item for which they cannot live without, no matter the consequences in some cases and many people have been injured.  There has even been a death contributed to Black Friday, when a store employee was unlocking the doors he was trampled. 

So we celebrate the beautiful Feast of Christ the King and then a mere 5 days later we forget our Lord in order to pursue things of this world.  Things that will mean nothing to anyone in 100 years or even 50 or 10 or 5 or maybe not even in 1 year.

I’m not saying you cannot buy Christmas gifts and enjoy the beautiful season leading up to the birth of our King; but let us remember the spirit in which these gifts should be given, received and enjoyed.  Let us also remember those who are less fortunate.

Matthew 25:31-46 says, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.”

As we celebrate the Advent season, visiting family and friends, buying gifts and other items and preparing for the arrival of Christ the King let us remember what St. Matthew teaches us. 

“For I was hungry and you gave me food.” 

Donate to a food pantry;

Serve a meal at the mission;
Purchase scrip and leave it at the rectory so the priests can donate as the need arises;
Help someone in line at the grocery store who needs extra help making their purchases;
Say a prayer for someone, or better yet, with someone because they need spiritual food too.

“I was thirsty and you gave me to drink.”

Each day show your love of others in new ways by giving your children and spouse a blessing when they wake up and before bed;
Give more hugs, not just to your family, but to your friends and even strangers, if you are so moved.

“A stranger and you welcomed me.”
Smile at people and look them in the eye.  Say “hello” to them or “Merry Christmas” or “God bless you.”
Shake hands with people.

“Naked and you clothed me.”

Take your children’s old coats, hats, gloves, etc. to a local elementary school for children who are without.

Go through your closet and get rid of those things you are not wearing.  Donate them to St. Vincent de Paul or Goodwill.  If you haven’t worn something in a year, you probably never will.

“Ill and you cared for me.”

Do you have neighbors who might need your help? 

Everyone knows someone with cancer or some other debilitating illness, help them.  Take a meal, help them vacuum and dust.

Take a bowl of soup or a handmade card.

“In prison and you visited me.”

Go to a nursing home and talk to the residents.  They hunger and thirst for attention.  Say a prayer with them, let them visit with your children.  Let the children make small crafts and pass them out.

Find out who the homebound members of your parish are and see if you can visit.

Visit Jesus, who waits for you in the tabernacle day and night.

Use your imagination.  When Christmas day arrives, Jesus’ birthday, what gifts (spiritual and corporal works of mercy) are you going to offer Him?  May the Holy Spirit guide you in all you do.

Remember, to whom much is given, much will be expected.