Popular
series on Netflix – Marie Kondo – “Tidying Up.” Marie has written 4 books
selling millions of copies. People have too much stuff and she helps them get rid
of thing using her Con-Mari Method: keep only those things that bring joy.
So much
stuff! We have become buried in stuff!
What are we
full of?
Some say worries.
So many things to worry about. And yet we have an amazing standard of living compared
to generations before. Jesus said: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour
to their life?” Accept that thing will not always go as we plan and let go!
Some say responsibilities.
Things to do, places to go, jobs to complete, money to make and families to
raise. My sister Susan says – feel the Pressure?! How about try stopping and
living! Jesus said – “Come to an out of the way place and rest a little.” This
is why Sunday is called a day of rest. Slow down, spend time with family and
friends – so to remember WHY we exist – why we are here. Even God rested!
Some would
say we are full of ourselves – our needs – our feelings and desires.
Think about how magazines have evolved: LIFE – LOOK – PEOPLE – US – SELF – all about
me.
Jesus said –
“If anyone would come after me, let them deny themselves, take up their cross
daily, and follow me.”
Bishop
Barron always says – It’s Not About You.” And he is right! Life is a gift from
God – with purpose and meaning!
What has
happened? Four years ago, Harvard University welcomed its freshman class – for the
first time – atheists and agnostics outnumbered professed Christians and Jews.
Two weeks
ago, it was signed into law in New York that babies have no protection until AFTER
a WANTED birth. These two things are not unrelated.
If there is
no God – then our lives do belong to us, and we can do with them what we want.
If there is no God, life has no ultimate purpose or meaning. We can choose the
meaning or purpose. And when things do not go the way we want, then end the
life.
Woody
Harrelson said not long ago: “I’ve been nursing an emptiness far too long. I
made a huge mistake turning my back on religion, because I lost my soul in the
process. Now, I am beginning to find a bright new reason for being.”
A man was
speaking to a monk – I need spiritual advice. Here, have a drink of water. He
took a pitcher and began to pour – and the glass was filled – then it began to
overflow – but he kept pouring – hey, what are you doing? Teaching you a lesson.
You want spiritual advice, but you are already full. There is no room for
anything else. You need to empty yourself to make room for God.
That’s Why –
blessed are you poor – the hungry – weeping – because, you have made room for
God!
