In his first apostolic exhortation, i.e., an official papal paper, Pope Francis calls unfettered capitalism “a new tyranny”, condemns the worship of money, and challenges political leaders to fight poverty and growing inequality. He also calls on the rich to share their wealth with the poor.
Guess the CEO’s of the big chain stores missed the Pope’s message, pushing “Black Friday” shopping hours back to Thanksgiving Day.
And apparently the same can be said of the millions of shoppers who will gladly take advantage of the added hours to shop until they drop.
So from the days when Pilgrims took time to give thanks to God for a good crop that would allow them to survive the upcoming winter, Thanksgiving Day has evolved into a kind of pace lap before the green flag is dropped and the race to shop begins.
What a way to show gratitude!
You know, I think Pope Francis is on to something when he asks the question, “How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses 2 points?”
Yes, how can it be?
How can it be that a former teaching colleague of mine continues to wax on about the failures of the Affordable Care Act enrollment process rather than being glad that when the problems get fixed millions of people who have never had health insurance will get it?
How can it be that a mega-church in a Kansas City suburb is planning to build a new building that will cost $90 million, while more than 17% of the city’s population is living in poverty?
How can it be that there are Christians who believe the Pope is meddling in political issues when he talks about the dangers of an “unfettered capitalism?
You know, I really do like this new Pope.
And even though I am thoroughly Protestant, on Thanksgiving Day one of the things for which I will be very grateful is that he is the world’s most prominent spiritual leader and a prophetic voice for those who have no voice or power.
And maybe, just maybe, if he keeps talking, the rest of us will catch up with him and gladly walk beside him.
Happy Thanksgiving!
linnposts.com 
Things like your example of the $90M KC church really bug me. I don’t even remotely consider that to be practicing Christianity. I wonder what Jesus thinks of that one.
One of the things I am thankful for is linnposts. Thank you for sharing your thoughts & ideas. A happy and thankful Thanksgiving to all.
I agree with you 100%.
I love your articles so much.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Jan. I am thankful for you!
Amen!
To my favorite Grumpy prophet, wishes for a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving. And don’t be too quick to claim Pope Francis–pictures of him bringing out the relics of St. Peter’s bones remind us that he is far from a liberal Protestant world-view.