Daily Meditation for February 12, 2025

The number of catalogues that arrive in the mail daily remind us that we NEED to buy something, anything, NOW! The urge to acquire is like an itch that will not go away. We experience it everywhere we go, even in the quiet of our homes. If you doubt that, just count the number of TV commercials during any televised program. Those advertising promise a happy, carefree life now and in the future if only we call, buy now and get TWO. What is a person to do? A young man came to Jesus, wanting to follow him. Scripture says that Jesus looked at the young man and loved him. However, the man owned many things and so he went away sad. Having an excess of anything can become a distraction to really living well. St. Benedict asks us to live simply, to have what is needed, and let go of what is not.

By Dianne Schlichting, OblSB