Fr. Don's Daily Reflection - June 18, 2024
Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from you.”
“According to the ads, fresh breath and dry armpits are crucial” (line from the comic strip, Calvin and Hobbes, 5 April 1995, Mpls Star). That line occurred in a dialogue about what is important in life. With possibly slight exaggeration it points to elements in our culture which militate against the right priorities. One does get the impression from advertising that without the right mouthwash Cindy will never give you the time of the day; that there is precious little that is more important than dry armpits and silky hair -- and not in the same place!
It's not that most of us are going to take such ads with utmost seriousness but the overall bombardment by them obscures what is important. Though it is usually not said explicitly, the same ads tell us by the type of models they use that well-tuned bodies and teeth with no unsightly gaps are absolutely necessary for a satisfying relationship.
We need, after all the gloss and glitter of the ordinary movie and television ads, to see and value people with inner qualities that only show themselves gradually but are vastly more satisfying and important than clear skin and straight teeth.
It is refreshing but rare to see a movie where the hero or heroine has gap teeth, a weak chin and a few extra pounds but human sensitivity and a genuine conscience. Without dropping our appreciation for beauty, don’t we also need to value the more lasting qualities that make for good relationships and a happy life?
Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”
