Examining Our Values in Light of Lent: A Call to Reorient Our Loves
The Wall Street Journal-NORC poll has revealed some troubling trends in American values, with a significant decline in the importance placed on patriotism, religion, community involvement, and having children. Instead, the poll shows that money has become increasingly valued in American society. This shift in values has prompted Catholics, especially educators, to engage in a period of Lenten soul searching.
Catholic educators are called to examine whether their schools are leading people away from religion and community engagement towards a focus on money and self-interest. The Second Vatican Council emphasized the importance of true education in forming individuals for the common good and their final end. In a society where values are shifting towards individualism and materialism, Catholic schools play a crucial role in teaching the lasting and lovely aspects of life that give glory to God and serve the community.
The decline in communal commitment and the rise of the idolatry of money have led to a society that struggles to find shared loves that unite us. Pope Francis has warned of the dangers of the deification of money and the crisis of communal commitment it creates. The decline in community commitment is reflected in troubling societal issues such as declining life expectancy, gun violence, and the exploitation of vulnerable populations.
In response to these challenges, Pope Francis calls for a conversion to synodality, a way of living in community that fosters a common journey. By committing to community, welcoming children, and practicing measured patriotism, individuals can counter the societal trend towards individualism and materialism. The Eucharist, as a symbol of shared love and communion, offers a path towards reorienting our values towards the highest love of all – love for one another. In a society where money has become a false idol, it is essential to prioritize relationships and shared values that unite us as a community.