On Black Friday, a caution from the Pope

Certainly the timing of today's release of Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium is not at all connected to the great madness that will soon envelope the United States of America, either on Thanksgiving Day or the following, dubbed Black Friday, as consumers try to buy more things they weren't thankful for the day prior.

In the second paragraph of his lengthy reflection on the joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis directs our attention to what he sees as "the great danger in today's world:"

The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ (Evangelii Gaudium, 2).

Before you head out with your shopping lists, be sure to take Pope Francis' words to prayer.