A THROW-AWAY CULTURE

“Throw into the river every boy that is born to the Hebrews.” —Exodus 1:22

Pharaoh, afraid that the enslaved Israelites would grow more numerous and powerful than his Egyptian people, ordered his subjects to throw all Israelite baby boys into the Nile River (Ex 1:22). This would prevent the Israelites from ever having enough soldiers to rebel against Egypt in the future. What the culture didn’t value was to be thrown away, even if it was human life. Pope Francis has repeatedly spoken against the “throw-away culture” of secular humanism. This cultural mindset to dispose of whatever is not valued by the culture de jour is not new; it goes all the way back to the ancient Egyptians.

On the other hand, Jesus would not allow anyone to throw away the leftover loaves and fishes which He miraculously multiplied (Mk 6:43). Jesus didn’t dispose of the lives of serious sinners (e.g. Jn 8:11; Lk 23:43) or those cast off by society, such as lepers or the blind (see Mk 1:40ff; Jn 9:1ff). “All are alive for Him” (Lk 20:38). Everyone and everything is valued by the Lord.

Is there anything or anyone that we thoughtlessly discard? Ask the Lord for the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16). Embrace what the culture throws away.

PRAYER: Father, transform me by the renewal of my mind (Rm 12:2).
PROMISE: “Whoever gives a cup of cold water to one of these lowly ones because he is a disciple will not want for his reward.” –Mt 10:42
PRAISE: St. Bonaventure, a bishop and doctor of the Church, was endowed with exceptional spiritual and intellectual gifts. He wrote profoundly about theology and philosophy.