Black Friday for Jesus

When I heard that chains like Kohl's, Best Buy and others were opening as early as 4 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving, I had a reaction in my gut that I really didn't expect.

I felt sad.

I read a story that reported the mass of people heading to the midnight opening of the gigantic outlet mall about an hour way from here caused a 4-hour traffic jam on the highway Thanksgiving night.

I saw news footage of hundreds of people lining up at another mall in the pre-dawn, freezing night (some of whom pitched tents and had been there since Thanksgiving Day).

I saw a news report where those lined up outside stores across the country literally stampeded in once the doors were opened. "Door busters" indeed.

This all made me feel worse. But, why?

I've been trying to figure that out for the past couple of days and I think I know what's up: Jesus and His mother have been at work on me again: Christmas isn't about stuff.

I feel this in my heart now, not just know it in my head and kinda-sorta pay lip service to it. I used to sound so cool, so smart if I opined, "Oh, Christmas isn't about the presents", but then really looked forward to whatever box had my name on it or was disappointed if I didn't get what I want.

But now I really feel it, and all the Black Friday news and pictures kinda hurt. I felt sad. Sad for folks who felt they had to line up in the cold, dark night to buy things. Sad for the state of the world. And, really, sad for Jesus who has to continue to watch all this.

Imagine if we saw the same news reports: People lining up, camping out, hundreds deep, numbering tens of thousands across the country. Waiting in the cold, dark night for the opening of church. For the start of Mass. Or Benediction. Or Confession.

As I read this over, I'm concerned I'm coming across as judgmental or sanctimonious, and I truly don't intend that. I don't look down upon or judge anyone who gets up early to participate in Black Friday events. Yeesh, that would have been me if I weren't so lazy - LOL.

I mean this all in a wistful way. Imagine what that world would be like if there was a Black Friday for the Lord.

The whole point of this post isn't to come across as holier-than-thou, but to continue to be amazed at how in trying - just trying - the Lord will grant you graces you didn't ask for or know you needed. In praying the Rosary (almost every day) and in trying to humbly live a Catholic life (and mostly failing), I really do grow closer to the Lord. He blesses me in ways I neither anticipate nor imagine - nor deserve.