This post is religious/spiritual. It is lent season and Good Friday is approaching as well as Easter. I had the opportunity to attend a retreat with a young group of Vietnamese Catholics in the East Bay a week ago, and it was a spiritual uplifting experience as I was able to grow stronger in faith, reconnect with God, and self reflect. There were important themes which played out during the retreat that were meaningful and valuable. Temptation is the main theme of the retreat and thus, is very fitting in society today.
I just read on the news about a shooting that occured in New York. 14 victims were found dead. Recently, 4 officers in Oakland were shot by a gunman, and a family murdered by their own husband/father. Two of these three cases was because of a lay off. In these troubling times of the economic crisis, it is tough for everyone. Companies think of sustainability and they downsize. Families are more ever in suruvival mode and cut back on spending. However, we are tempted to think of ourself and we use the word "I" more frequently.
There's no greater love than the love that our Father has given to us which is Jesus His son who died and gave up his life and the "I" in him to save us. There are those that are lonely, depressed, troubled, hungry, and struggling who need our help, company, and friendship. When a friend, stranger, neighbor who needs our help, let's extend and offer our hands to help them through dark times.
Every so often, we prioritize certain things that aren't real. Temptations of drug/alcholol addiction, pornography, video games, glutony, money and spending, and inactivity/sloth. We consume our lives and dwelve our body and mind into artifical things. Society, sadly enough, depicts these images sublimally through tv, magazines, poster boards, and it becomes engrained in our head to accept these things/actions to be cool and acceptable.
It takes courage and strong will to stand up against temptations. It may be hard to say no to friends because of fear of losing their friendship; however, there's nothing more important than self respect, dignity, and integrity.
The next time when you say "I want to do this because it benefits me or I want this item because everyone has it and I want it so I can be cool too..." Think of the things others don't have.
It's Simplelicious!
KM
