Black Friday, the Pope, and St Francis

Noticed this year that we didn’t celebrate that grand American tradition involving turkey that happens last week of November  – yup, am talking about “Black Friday” – the day that American retailers start seeing black ink in their books and, yup, when the official nuttiness begins (make sure you watch both videos.  Hilarious!).

Yup, under extreme circumstances - after a super typhoon and during a 50% off sale - we revert to being animals.  

  

This week also saw the Pope officially declare himself as nutty for coming out with his declaration against consumerism, inequality and greed.  I know the Catholic Church has been accused of holding on to the past, but, this is absurd.  Observe:

"We've created new idols.  The worship of the ancient golden calf...has returned in a new and ruthless guise in the idolatry of money...."

"Just as the commandment 'Thou not kill' sets a clear limit in order to safeguard the value of human life...we also have to say 'thou shalt not' to an economy of exclusion and inequality.  Such an economy kills.  How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points."

"Money must serve not rule!  The Pope loves everyone, rich and poor alike, but he is obliged in the name of Christ to remind all that the rich must help, respect and promote the poor."

The guy wants us to really go way, way, "way back Thursday" by…gasp…going all the way to Jesus who talked about pretty much the same things.  Ironically, that's a breath of fresh air.  

To me, there seemed to be too much focus in recent past on homosexuality, contraceptives and reproduction and just made one, well....very horny. 

The Pope named himself after St. Francis of Assisi – another throwback kind of nutty guy.  Let’s call him the original anti-consumerist – the rich son of a merchant who gave up worldly possessions and started an order after hearing God’s voice.

This just in:  There is no truth to the rumor that with Paul Walker's death the Pope will be in "Fast and Furious 8."  

Incidentally, been watching a 1961 film on St. Francis on YouTube which you can catch here if you’ve time off from your shopping chores.  Though now found to be wrongly attributed to him, the prayer named for him is a great reminder for 'tis season (you can check out a gorgeous Sinead O’Connor version here):

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is error, truth;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Written December 1, 2013