The grocery bills are higher, the mortgage looms each month and unexpected
repairs on the car seem to hit our budget like a hurricane…all this
and more proclaims gloom and doom for the Catholic family. Yet, everything
we know about our faith teaches a contrary message: We are not “of
the world,” we are not to “worry about what we are to eat” and
if we have two cloaks we are to give one to someone who needs it. In these
times of recession, Catholics have the pearl of great price—the consolation
and encouragement of our faith that offers an alternative lifestyle that
creates serenity and peace. We know that invisible things without a price
tag can offer more happiness then a successful 401K. What is necessary is
the choice to enhance family life based not on what we can buy, but how we
can promote time together, prayer and just stewardship of the resources that
we have been given. January is a time to reassess our status as disciples
who can boast that we do not need a bag, money or a walking stick for our
journey..

“This isn’t so bad,” says the morning-show commentator. “Having less money to spend brings us back to enjoying each other and finding value in time spent together.” This insight is announced like it is a brand new concept. Catholic teaching has long taught that we must not put our trust in the things that money can buy. However, we must now begin to live the virtue of poverty with renewed passion.

Lent is right around the corner. In the classroom and in our homes we can prepare for a Lent that explores simplicity and gospel values as our priceless treasure.

Father Norman Langenbrunner offers us a jump start for surviving lean times with Daily Reflections for Lent 2009. This inexpensive, pocket-size book is deceiving, for it speaks volumes to the lenten call to seek first the kingdom—a kingdom that is right in front of our noses if we care to look. “Lent is the Church’s invitation to move forward,” Father Norm writes in his Introduction. Each daily meditation he offers is based on the scriptures and can serve as a springboard to a classroom discussion or a family supper conversation. At the end of each day’s reflection is a simple action that gives us a chance to live out the teaching in some easy way. Students and family members alike will see that making sense out of God’s word can be a treasure worth pursuing in the desert days ahead. What a resource this little book can be for catechists and all parish members who face an economic challenge this Lent!

Whew! You made it through the Christmas holiday and all its extra expenses—from a higher electric bill because of your outdoor Christmas lights to postage for cards and packages, from gifts to additional groceries for guests and holiday meals. Many of us are feeling the pinch of these tight economic times. To those who have lost their jobs or homes, the downturn in the economy is much more troubling and painful.

Many of us have been so caught up in the consumer mindset of our culture that we are faced with rethinking and rearranging our priorities. Franciscan Father Richard Rohr and Paula D’Arcy claim that this type of reprioritizing is a task of the second half of life. Their audio presentation, A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life,, echoes Jesus’ teaching that “[A]ll who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Lk 14:11) and the first Beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3). I’m also reminded of St. Francis of Assisi’s suggestion that we should take a lesson from water: It always seeks the lowest place.

What will this look like in our lives? It goes much deeper than living with less materially. This is a spiritual mindset that puts in proper order not only all that we own, but also our relationships and sense of self in the world. I’ve selected an audio clip from A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life to share with you (RealMedia | Windows Media). In it, Father Richard reminds us that the gospel is not a winner’s script. Share these very timely insights with other “losers” in your parish. Gain new perspective on the material losses that are causing so much anxiety.

As we put away the holiday decorations, we notice all the clutter and dust that has accumulated around the house. We yearn for clean surfaces, organized closets and less clutter. It isn’t just the physical objects that clutter our souls in January, but there seems to be a fair share of spiritual and mental clutter as well.

An area that can accumulate some emotional clutter is that of family rules and discipline. The holidays seem to be a time of relenting on important guidelines like bedtimes and whining. Now, parents everywhere are blowing the whistle for a time out and heads up as we reorganize family patterns. Raymond Guarendi, Ph.D., a popular clinical psychologist, offers a wonderful resource for all families, Discipline That Lasts a Lifetime, The Best Gift You Can Give Your Kids . This new audio book is a perfect listening companion for mom’s or dad’s ride to work.

Guarendi is an expert at offering very practical answers to questions on family discipline. His ideas are straightforward and laced with a healthy sense of humor. With his audio book, you can plug into this popular speaker whenever you need a good word of encouragement and direction.

A reminder: A complete list of suggested resources for Lent can be found in our online catalog. Take a look at what we have to offer.