The Least

As I sit here writing this, I'm not really sure where to start. Ever since I've been back from my trip to the Holy Land, I've been pondering more and more about the purpose of life - both my own and those of everyone around me. Things like what happened yesterday just really get me thinking...and it's hard not knowing the answers...

Yesterday, I was on the L (en route to my hair appt), when a young-ish gentleman came aboard:

"I know you all don't want to hear this, and I'm sorry that I'm pissing you guys off by doing this, but I need help. My right leg is swollen to almost twice the size of my left one - I'll show you (which he did). I need $19 to fill a prescription for Cumatin, it's a blood-thinner. I don't have insurance, I got laid off. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I hate begging. I hate my life - my G** you don't know how much I hate my life right now...I'm sorry..."

How heartbreaking to hear that. And coupled with the recent news about Robin William's suicide after a battle with depression, it makes me wonder what gets a person to such a desperate state. And it also makes me wonder what we, as a society (and as individuals), can do to reach out to people in need.

I know I can't give money to everyone on the street or everyone who asks - or, then again, maybe I can...but I don't. But there has to be something.

So much of where we go and get to in life seems predetermined at birth - who our parents are, where we live, who we know...I've always taken it for granted - the fact that I was able to pursue (practically free of cost) a Bachelor's and then Master's degree, the idea that I have chosen to live in Chicago, the way I still have a little money to spend on entertainment/charity/school/etc. after rent and food costs... Not everyone can do that. And, yeah, I had to work to get these things, but I started out in a pretty good place with people (my family, teachers, friends, etc.) who helped me along the way.

But what about people who don't have that? What are we doing to help them?

Like I said at the beginning of this post, I don't have the answers. I'm just begging the questions right now. And I apologize if this seems like a rant or some kind of tangent - that was not my intention.

So, for tonight, I'll leave you with this thought:

While at Theology on Tap tonight, Fr. James Martin (with whom we were Skyping) brought up the "litmus test" of getting into heaven: Matthew 25 - "Whatsoever you have done to the least of my people, that you have done unto me..." It is said that a society can be judged by how it treats its least and most vulnerable. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate us today?

"Turn on Life"

As much as I have faith in young people, I admit I also have moments of doubt...

In advisory this morning, a couple of the 6th grade girls were trying to spread the word about National Screen Free Week. In doing so, they asked their classmates to take a pledge to self-regulate (not eliminate) use of electronics and screen devices. With the uproar of excuses, sighs, and complaints, you would have thought they asked the students to stop watching television for the rest of their lives.

Honestly, it made me sick. To not be able to give up one hour (or even 30 minutes) of screen time a day for one week - wow. What does that say about kids (and, let's face it, adults too) these days? What does this say about our culture/society? Where are our values? Where are our priorities?

It's the playoffs.
I can't give up video games - I only get an hour a night on the weekdays as it is.
I have to watch my tv shows.
I always use my phone during dinner - what's the problem?

I tried the angle that their parents' generation didn't even have cell phones, computers, and (color) televisions, and do you know what some of the kids said to that? Since they didn't have those things in the first place it wouldn't be as much of a temptation to give up. Maybe that's true, but it missed the point - they didn't need those things. That generation knew how to play pick up ball games, ride their bikes down the street, enjoy family dinners, and have real conversations.

As the girls who presented left the classroom this morning (after the others), I told them that they're fighting an uphill battle...but to keep trying. We need to make every effort to be aware of how much time we spend in front of our computers, televisions, and smartphones. (Yes, maybe it's a bit ironic that I'm writing this on my computer.) In the words of the campaign, we need to "turn off screens and turn on life."

Are you ready and willing to take the challenge and to encourage others to do the same?