Pope warns comfortable living causes 'gentrification of the heart' [CNAU]

[Catholic_Press]

May 14, '13 6:00 am
Pope Francis has warned against “gentrification of the heart” as a consequence of comfortable living, and called on the faithful to “touch the flesh of Christ” by caring for the needy, reports the Catholic News Service.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/cathnews/RSS/~4/r5fHIH2HVyI

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[FrancisBenedict]

He is very wise.

Pax et Bonum+

 

[edwest2]

What great and simple words. It is easy to get comfortable and we do need proper rest and relaxation, but we can’t forget the poor and needy.

Dear Lord, thank you for Pope Francis.

Ed

 

[Elizabeth502]

As someone who lives in a ridiculously privileged area (by world standards), I cannot agree more with the Holy Father, in terms of what an attachment to material comforts produces. I’d say easily, conservatively, 40% of the population in my area are over-privileged, meaning that they have money to burn. What I see is inoculation from the realities of those who lack even the basics – never mind the comforts. What I see in their behavior is entitlement out of control, to the point at which their pleasures take priority over laws, regulations, common courtesy, and a sense of even local community. I see people completely transformed by their wealth, to the point at which they identify with their possessions and their ability to purchase whatever they want. It eliminates a sense of proportion and numbs people from the realities outside their exaggerated comfort zones.

And I’m not talking about the super-wealthy here – the Bloombergs,the Ellisons, the Gates, or celebrities in arts and sports. I’m talking just about upper-middle-class people and their extravagant lifestyles when they make those their priority. A very large percentage of them become consumed by these pursuits.

 

[LisaA]

As someone who lives in a ridiculously privileged area (by world standards), I cannot agree more with the Holy Father, in terms of what an attachment to material comforts produces. I’d say easily, conservatively, 40% of the population in my area are over-privileged, meaning that they have money to burn. What I see is inoculation from the realities of those who lack even the basics – never mind the comforts. What I see in their behavior is entitlement out of control, to the point at which their pleasures take priority over laws, regulations, common courtesy, and a sense of even local community. I see people completely transformed by their wealth, to the point at which they identify with their possessions and their ability to purchase whatever they want. It eliminates a sense of proportion and numbs people from the realities outside their exaggerated comfort zones.

And I’m not talking about the super-wealthy here – the Bloombergs,the Ellisons, the Gates, or celebrities in arts and sports. I’m talking just about upper-middle-class people and their extravagant lifestyles when they make those their priority. A very large percentage of them become consumed by these pursuits.

So true. I worked at a big CPA firm and our clients were among the wealthiest in town of course being top executives in the city’s biggest businesses. Then I moved to a medical clinic so of course our doctors are wealthy too. That being said, I’ve seen many doctors who despite their wealth are incredibly giving people with their talent, time and treasure. There are huge differences though and the question becomes how do you ‘educate’ people about a different perspective? I would love to have the kind of money they have and the ability to make a difference. Of course they also have the ability (and some do) to volunteer their services. Our clinic does provide a lot of charity care as does the hopsital.

Our youth group has a mission and they’ve gone to various areas to provide service such as Mexico and Indian (yes they use that word) Reservations which are sadly very poor. These kids although privileged do seem to have a different perspective than the generation preceding them. I believe they will continue to share their blessings.

Second issue is how do we keep from being like the young rich man who was told to sell everything and give to the poor. Realistically although I’m certainly not wealthy I have house and a car and food on the table. Obviously I donate money and volunteer time for the Parish’s outreach efforts.

What is enough?

Lisa

 

[edwest2]

As someone who lives in a ridiculously privileged area (by world standards), I cannot agree more with the Holy Father, in terms of what an attachment to material comforts produces. I’d say easily, conservatively, 40% of the population in my area are over-privileged, meaning that they have money to burn. What I see is inoculation from the realities of those who lack even the basics – never mind the comforts. What I see in their behavior is entitlement out of control, to the point at which their pleasures take priority over laws, regulations, common courtesy, and a sense of even local community. I see people completely transformed by their wealth, to the point at which they identify with their possessions and their ability to purchase whatever they want. It eliminates a sense of proportion and numbs people from the realities outside their exaggerated comfort zones.

And I’m not talking about the super-wealthy here – the Bloombergs,the Ellisons, the Gates, or celebrities in arts and sports. I’m talking just about upper-middle-class people and their extravagant lifestyles when they make those their priority. A very large percentage of them become consumed by these pursuits.

Well, think about how people are modeled in the media and on the internet.

1. A wrong sense of entitlement. “I can steal anything from a file sharing site: books, movies, TV shows.” Often this is followed by the disrespect of the rights of the copyright holders built on lousy excuses: “I can’t get it in my country.” or “It costs too much in my country.” Or, “Who cares about right and wrong? I can get it because I can.” And “Everybody’s doin’ it.” Oh yeah, from a 7 year old, I’d expect that. Not from an “adult.”
2. You want to teach people to have no or little respect for others? Have them visit most internet forums where you can cuss out the other guy, make wrong assumptions and be mean and angry. This is excused by having the “fake” freedom to use any profanity that crosses my mind.
3. Over the last several decades, people who have earned their way to comfort believe (A) This is good for my family. I feel safer living in a ‘better’ neighborhood. (B) I’m going to get old one day so I better to load up on a lot of goodies now while I can enjoy them."
4. Because people have generally lost respect for others, or want to be isolated from others, their public behavior and you having a problem with it is your problem. This isolation, or “I’ll live my life however the heck I want,” is the result of the destruction of communities and community ties, which was carefully planned. Never mind that No-Fault Divorce wrecked the lives of children and in-laws and turned marriage into a fee, signing some papers and you’re out.
5. Our “entertainment” options are dysfunctional, gory and grisly or hyper-sexual. So “What’s wrong with hedonism? If it works for the Desperate Housewives, why not me?”
6. Out of sight, out of mind. By God’s grace, I’ve been drawn to helping the poor at the street level, which means going to the “bad” parts of town. You know, the areas with pimps and prostitutes and shady types. In the city of Detroit, for example, one can be intimidated and let down by the burned out, abandoned and vandalized abandoned homes and commercial buildings. Depending on what you’ve heard, it’s easy not to feel safe, but losing hope or using it as an excuse? Go with a group. Help a few people.
7. We do need to keep in mind that some people literally do not have the time but they can still contribute to the Church or their local soup kitchen.
8. A lost sense of proportion. When I was growing up, my parents told me I had to do odd jobs in the neighborhood - back when we had still had communities - like cutting the grass or shoveling the snow for neighbors, to earn the money to get something I wanted. This served me well in later life when it comes to spending money.

Communities, healing, commitment and love based on friendship and trust. Marriages built on that and not whether or not both parties are good in the sack.

Pope Francis is gently using simple words that will return us to ways that worked before the wrecking ball of the dissidents inside and outside the Church destroyed so many families and made Honor thy mother and father a meaningless idea.

God bless,
Ed

 

[edwest2]

So true. I worked at a big CPA firm and our clients were among the wealthiest in town of course being top executives in the city’s biggest businesses. Then I moved to a medical clinic so of course our doctors are wealthy too. That being said, I’ve seen many doctors who despite their wealth are incredibly giving people with their talent, time and treasure. There are huge differences though and the question becomes how do you ‘educate’ people about a different perspective? I would love to have the kind of money they have and the ability to make a difference. Of course they also have the ability (and some do) to volunteer their services. Our clinic does provide a lot of charity care as does the hopsital.

Our youth group has a mission and they’ve gone to various areas to provide service such as Mexico and Indian (yes they use that word) Reservations which are sadly very poor. These kids although privileged do seem to have a different perspective than the generation preceding them. I believe they will continue to share their blessings.

Second issue is how do we keep from being like the young rich man who was told to sell everything and give to the poor. Realistically although I’m certainly not wealthy I have house and a car and food on the table. Obviously I donate money and volunteer time for the Parish’s outreach efforts.

What is enough?

Lisa

I heard one religious describe enough as being “able to live life in dignity.” I was raised in a working class neighborhood with mostly wood-frame homes. I was taught that there were needs and wants. That my needs had to be covered and that it was OK to have a hobby or pastime and my neighbors followed that rule. No one had expensive things, unless it was an heirloom, but we had nice, simple things that looked nice. I could walk into any home and it was all pleasant but clearly not extravagant. Sure, people would have liked more but it was not an all-consuming passion. A friend of mine built his own business, was making six figures, but it didn’t really change him. Then there was the divorce…

Today, my limit on buying something extra - a want - is $50. There have been several times I’ve spent $100 or more (but less than $200), in order to get rare items for my hobby and for research purposes.

Peace,
Ed

 

[LisaA]

Ed thanks for the great post as well!

Our Parish had “Just Faith” two years ago and we are apparently unveiling some kind of “Just Faith” parish program (the earlier one was a small group effort). That may give us more opportunities to engage.

We have a food pantry and we have a specific week every month for people to bring food or donate $$. Last week our kids handed out those cloth shopping bags with a list of most coveted food items and people returned them with food for the pantry. We also have a hot meal program every week (our parish alternates with others). Every year our Priest, and Youth Leader takes our youth to a local Catholic shelter and they volunteer for a period of time. The places in this town where the lower income/homeless hang out are pretty obvious. We thankfully don’t have the violence as some cities do but we always go in groups anyway.

I think the key is actually interacting. I remember this from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s encyclical on how we can’t just give money, we need to get in the trenches so to speak.

Anyway your post has some really good insights and thoughts. THank you again

Lisa

 

[LisaA]

I heard one religious describe enough as being “able to live life in dignity.” I was raised in a working class neighborhood with mostly wood-frame homes. I was taught that there were needs and wants. That my needs had to be covered and that it was OK to have a hobby or pastime and my neighbors followed that rule. No one had expensive things, unless it was an heirloom, but we had nice, simple things that looked nice. I could walk into any home and it was all pleasant but clearly not extravagant. Sure, people would have liked more but it was not an all-consuming passion. A friend of mine built his own business, was making six figures, but it didn’t really change him. Then there was the divorce…

Today, my limit on buying something extra - a want - is $50. There have been several times I’ve spent $100 or more (but less than $200), in order to get rare items for my hobby and for research purposes.

Peace,
Ed

Ed thanks for this as well. As I think about it, I grew up in a small town and it was really quite homogenous. There were some wealthy people (the doctor/lawyer cadre) but most people had about the same living standard. Now we have SUCH huge contrasts. Not sure what happened…I think people made different incomes but didn’t seem to be the grasping for more and more stuff, bigger and bigger houses (McMansions).

Sometimes I wonder if working women had a lot to do with it. Suddenly you “need” two cars and it goes from there.

Lisa

 

[edwest2]

Ed thanks for the great post as well!

Our Parish had “Just Faith” two years ago and we are apparently unveiling some kind of “Just Faith” parish program (the earlier one was a small group effort). That may give us more opportunities to engage.

We have a food pantry and we have a specific week every month for people to bring food or donate $$. Last week our kids handed out those cloth shopping bags with a list of most coveted food items and people returned them with food for the pantry. We also have a hot meal program every week (our parish alternates with others). Every year our Priest, and Youth Leader takes our youth to a local Catholic shelter and they volunteer for a period of time. The places in this town where the lower income/homeless hang out are pretty obvious. We thankfully don’t have the violence as some cities do but we always go in groups anyway.

I think the key is actually interacting. I remember this from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s encyclical on how we can’t just give money, we need to get in the trenches so to speak.

Anyway your post has some really good insights and thoughts. THank you again

Lisa

You’re welcome, Lisa. We need to go into the highways and byways. These people need to see others caring for them one on one. Some of them have stories to tell, others just need a word of encouragement. Just having someone to listen to is important.

Ed

 

[edwest2]

Ed thanks for this as well. As I think about it, I grew up in a small town and it was really quite homogenous. There were some wealthy people (the doctor/lawyer cadre) but most people had about the same living standard. Now we have SUCH huge contrasts. Not sure what happened…I think people made different incomes but didn’t seem to be the grasping for more and more stuff, bigger and bigger houses (McMansions).

Sometimes I wonder if working women had a lot to do with it. Suddenly you “need” two cars and it goes from there.

Lisa

Since I was young, every mom was a stay at home mom. A second income was not needed although my mom did do odd jobs in the neighborhood from time to time because paying tuition and taking care of the family came first. For his part, my dad worked an extra half day on Saturday. As a boy, I went to the bank sometimes with my father and we’d see our neighbors standing in line. “Hello! How are you?!” My dad always put a little in the bank each week. Saving is something I was taught and still do.

Communities and real love BEFORE the ceremony. I’d give anything to have my old neighbors back. Courtesy was common. It was taught. I know there are good people out there today but too many want it their way so we see fragmentation of families and communities, a lack of respect, and marriage? Hit a snag and it’s straight to the lawyer. Stores used to be closed on Sundays.

No. I think that in the late 1960s, a type of irrational fear gripped people. Their kids were starting to turn on them. The solution, they thought? Move to a ‘better’ neighborhood. Get away from the bad. Well, the media began to turn on us no matter where we moved to and laws were passed that harmed families and relationships.

So we now have fragmented people who were ashamed back then since divorce was looked down upon, abortion was looked down upon and illegal drug use was looked down upon. Now that years of media propaganda has changed/reversed that, at least in the minds of some, hedonism and extravagance fills the void and people are ‘comfortable’ with that, but all that’s temporary and fleeting.

The Pope has sent a clear and simple message.

Peace,
Ed

P.S.

osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/10842/Young-peoples-unbelief-linked-to-media-home-life.aspx

 

[TheWarriorMonk]

May 14, '13 6:00 am
Pope Francis has warned against “gentrification of the heart” as a consequence of comfortable living, and called on the faithful to “touch the flesh of Christ” by caring for the needy, reports the Catholic News Service

I argue from this perspective, though usually implicitly, all the time. Many westerners live very comfortably, even those on welfare, relative to the rest of the world. They view the world from their jaundiced western view, and just don’t understand what is going on around them.

I hope that people stop just talking about how great this Pope and start living by his example.

I am reminded of a radio show I used to listen to years ago. A health guru used to give weekly classes about health. This person noted that the people in the class were intelligent, and learned everything he told them. However, many were in horrible physical shape. While these people learned a great deal about health, none where actually taking the steps to implement this knowledge. Listening, admiring, etc. is easy. Doing is difficult. We need more of the latter, and less of the spouting.

 

[Elizabeth502]

I hope that people stop just talking about how great this Pope and start living by his example…

The theme of his commentary was actually centered around awareness. There can be no effective action without awareness. The population of which he is speaking is generally unaware of how their own personal wealth or even comfort has become a “basic necessity.” And (again, in my region especially) a problem arises when there is no ceiling on that wealth or comfort. It is all subjective, and ever-expansive.

 

[LisaA]

The theme of his commentary was actually centered around awareness. There can be no effective action without awareness. The population of which he is speaking is generally unaware of how their own personal wealth or even comfort has become a “basic necessity.” And (again, in my region especially) a problem arises when there is no ceiling on that wealth or comfort. It is all subjective, and ever-expansive.

No need for you to derail the thread into more discussion of your minority viewpoint, but just in case you missed it, here are the words of Our Holy Father, before his election to Pope, Cardinal Bergoglio, on your favorite topic:

*Bergoglio is seen an unwaveringly orthodox on matters of sexual morality, staunchly opposing abortion, same-sex marriage, and contraception. In 2010 he asserted that gay adoption is a form of discrimination against children.

In a letter to the monasteries of Buenos Aires about the bill, Bergoglio wrote: “Let’s not be naive, we’re not talking about a simple political battle; it is a destructive pretension against the plan of God. We are not talking about a mere bill, but rather a machination of the Father of Lies that seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God.”

He added that the bill called into question “the identity, and the survival of the family: father, mother, and children” and said the country needed “the special assistance of the Holy Spirit, to place the light of truth in the middle of the darkness of error, to defend us against the enchantment of so many sophistries with which they seek to justify this bill.”*

We do not need to compromise and bend to the pressure of the secular relativists in order to serve the poor and marginalized.

Lisa

 

[TheWarriorMonk]

No need for you to derail the thread into more discussion of your minority viewpoint,

First, I’m not supporting gay marriage…please read what is stated and not what you wish I stated. Your statement indicates action without thought, which is incredibly dangerous. Second, you entirely missed my point.

 

[LisaA]

First, I’m not supporting gay marriage…please read what is stated and not what you wish I stated. Your statement indicates action without thought, which is incredibly dangerous. Second, you entirely missed my point.

Will not answer for Elizabeth502 but it sounded from your post as if you think approval of gays adopting is essential because apparently they are the last resort for all of these “unadoptable” children. Given that Catholic Charities was forced to abandon efforts to place children in certain states that require gays to be placed “on par” with heterosexual married couples, it seems like a willingness to compromise. Similarly CC was forced to abandon certain programs helping women out of sexual slavery as the Church prohibits abortion referrals.

Maybe you can clarify.

Lisa

 

[Elizabeth502]

Will not answer for Elizabeth502 but it sounded from your post as if you think approval of gays adopting is essential because apparently they are the last resort for all of these “unadoptable” children.

Yes, Lisa. You are correct. That was indeed WarriorMonk’s position on another thread recently, a position he argued vociferously.

My quote from then-Cardinal Bergoglio includes both gay marriage and gay adoption. Pope Francis is on record as opposing gay adoption. Just thought that WarriorMonk ought to be aware of that, particularly since he, not the OP, inserted gay adoption into a thread which doesn’t vaguely concern that.

 

[TheWarriorMonk]

Will not answer for Elizabeth502 but it sounded from your post as if you think approval of gays adopting is essential because apparently they are the last resort for all of these “unadoptable” children.

Utterly false. Once again, please what is said and not what you think it said.

What is true that if you are stopping others from taking care of “untouchables,” you have taken action that keeps these children in their current state, and you are now responsible for them. But nobody looks at it that way. We live in our own comfort and our own bubble, speak in platitudes, and could care less what happens to them. It’s doesn’t matter whether its disadvantaged children, adults, starving people in other countries. We’re all talk and no action if that action requires actually doing something.

 

[TheWarriorMonk]

Yes, Lisa. You are correct. That was indeed WarriorMonk’s position on another thread recently, a position he argued vociferously.

Actually it was not. Once again, you saw only what you wanted to see. You will not find anywhere I stated that gay marriage and gay adoption should be policy. My point was that if you see a baby at the edge of the cliff, you should allow anyone to help that baby, rather than letting the baby fall off the cliff.

It was interesting that in that thread nobody actually mentioned helping the baby themselves. The fact that wasn’t mentioned, IMHO, is a reflection of where one’s heart really is.

 

[LisaA]

Utterly false. Once again, please what is said and not what you think it said.

What is true that if you are stopping others from taking care of “untouchables,” you have taken action that keeps these children in their current state, and you are now responsible for them. But nobody looks at it that way. We live in our own comfort and our own bubble, speak in platitudes, and could care less what happens to them. It’s doesn’t matter whether its disadvantaged children, adults, starving people in other countries. We’re all talk and no action if that action requires actually doing something.

Strawman alert, did I ever say people should be STOPPED from taking care of special needs children? No. And how do you know “we’re all talk and no action…” You have no clue what any of us do to help the least of these. None. Nor can you conclude we couldn’t care less. You have no idea what is in our hearts. What complete arrogance.

What I did say was that the Church cannot compromise its truth by being complicit in actions that oppose this truth. The Church cannot refer women to abortionists in order to obtain additional money from government programs on the theory that this compromise allows them to help more women. The Church cannot place a child with a same sex couple (or single) just because someone has conclued no one else is willing to help. By the same token, I don’t think the Church stops others from doing so. Your premise simply does not stand to reason.

BTW when I was a Methodist one of church members headed up an adoption agency that placed ONLY special needs children. She said they always had a waiting list of married couples looking to adopt. So if you are aware of children who need loving parents, please try to access one of these agencies rather than concluding they do not exist. I absolutely believe every child deserves love and care, and I suspect the Church does far more of this work, feeds more starving children and supports more charitable endeavors than any other organization.

That being said, I do agree that many people live in a bubble and do not know what is happening in the world. The almost universal ignorance of the horrors in abortion clinics is utterly stunning to me for example. As Catholics we certainly must be aware, be involved and be pro-active. You might be surprised how many of us are.

Lisa