Have you heard much about Burma lately? What is the fate of protesting Buddhist monks and what about the hundreds of thousands affected by devastating storms? Weren't we in the midst of a world food crisis? People around the globe couldn't afford to eat. Zimbabwe. An oppressive regime which thwarts democracy and a trillion Zimbabwean dollars to buy a loaf of bread because of runaway inflation. The spectacular Olympics in China seemed to sweep away concerns about Tibet. Hurricanes devastated already impoverished Caribbean countries , but we hear next to nothing now.
What happened to these stories? Elections in Canada and the United States, as well as a new crisis in the financial markets, have created a new focus.
All of the situations mentioned in the first paragraph have made it into my blog because God's love is intertwined with God's justice and it is important to be aware of situations of injustice. We are all so dependent on the media to inform us about what is happening elsewhere, and when they move on we tend to move on. Like many others I am part of a pension fund and have investments, so its a challenge not to fret about what is happening right now. As a Christian I want to keep things in perspective and realize that for others daily life is an issue of survival.
An aspect of my Thanksgiving this year will be maintaining an outlook that has room for compassion and concern for others.
Over the last several years I have noticed that television has slowly begun to blur the lines between news and entertainment, to an even greater degree then previously. One can easily create their own world with a remote control. It creates a kind of bubble space for us to live in. News networks have to compete for our attention, which of course has made even News into a comsumer product. We bore easily, and we tend to like news that puts us at the center of the universe. Because News is something sold on a market, and is so much less tangible than other products the sales pitch has to be kept in motion and at a certain level intensity. It's a bit like a drug becasue the appeal isn't in the product, but in our repsonse to it.
ReplyDeleteWe talked a lot about being thankful in our lectionary study this morning. We talked about our abundance and the need to give thanks and to remember God even during times of plenty.
ReplyDeleteThe United Church issued a release about not forgetting the poor in the midst of this heavily publicized financial crisis. David Giuliano, the UC moderator said, "The terrible irony is that while our attention has been focused on stock markets and financial institutions around the world crying poor, the cries of those who are truly poor are not being heard."
I personally think we need to worry more about an environmental crisis affecting the way we live than a financial one. Currently, we live in a world of abundance in which we could all have enough if it was shared. If we keep damaging our earth though, I'm not sure that statement will remain true.
I appreciate both pupil and Deb's responses. I keep reminding readers to check the Comments because they add so much to my musings.
ReplyDeleteWhile sitting in the Drs office yesterday I was reading the latest MacLean's (Oct6) and there was an article about Thanks AND Giving, and it was encouraging readers to not only give thanks this Thanksgiving, but to Give to the charity of their choice. I thought it was an interesting view. (I tried to find the article in my database but the database is two weeks behind so I can't quote the article exactly nor give the web address that was included), but if you have the opportunity to read it, it is interesting.
ReplyDeleteI get Maclean's and I'll look forward to this issue, Nancy.
ReplyDelete