As we enter Advent, the season of waiting and listening, the first Advent candle represents hope. It is also known as the prophecy candle, reminding us of Isaiah’s foretelling of the birth of Christ, when LOVE entered the world in a most particular way.
Throughout this Advent, we are going to focus on four themes of mindfulness, starting with mindful spending in this first week.
In a time of constant upheaval and chaos, it is essential to slow down, wait and listen. We have more agency than we think. One way is the power we have, through conscious spending, to bring about hope for a better life for others.
Do we purchase from local artisans supporting their dreams as they share their gifts of creativity with us? Do we buy from local businesses where our money not only supports the business owner, but also 70% stays locally, instead of buying from a chain store where only 43% stays in the community? During this time of “The Christmas Industrial Complex,” do we give gifts to our family and friends in the form of donations to non-profits that exemplify their passions? Instead of buying material goods, do we give gifts that are experiences to share, which create memories of love and presence that will never be forgotten? Do we spend our money at companies that intentionally care for their employees and the environment?
In addition, we must consider using our prophetic power through mindful spending for our brothers and sisters who are experiencing poverty—the materially poor, those struggling to put food on their tables, our immigrant brothers and sisters currently living in fear, women and children experiencing or recovering from the trauma of violence and many others. However, we choose to spend our money this year, let us do so consciously and prophetically, in a way that brings about a more hopeful and equitable society. Thus, we will continue to live our charism of unifying love, and creating “the Church the world needs today” [DT 120] according to Pope Leo.
We will continue this meditation on mindful spending as we join the Leadership Conference of Women Religious for The Next 100 Days of Prayer on December 3, December 16 and January 8 in an effort to respond to the needs of the people and be witnesses of peace through intentional prayer, advocacy and fasting.