101 Spiritual Acts in a Culture of Scarcity
March 1, 2009

Catholic Hope

In this current climate of financial distress, many people find themselves worried to the point of despair, struggling to cope with the darkness that appears around them, unable to see beyond the ugliness of their situation, or simply worried to the point of preoccupation. There is no doubt that the economy is very bad. Yet, as Catholic Christians we are people of hope. That hope is not a saccharine-fake-feel-good thing. It is real. It is firm. Our ultimate hope is not found in the politicians whom we've elected nor in the comfort our bank accounts give us. Our true hope is found in Jesus and his abiding love, forgiveness, and salvation which he offers for us all. That’s our hope.

Moral Responsibility and the Loaves and Fishes

Recently, one of our wise and more senior members of our presbyterate wrote a reflection in his parish's bulletin about how we could be individually responsible for the economic problem as well as the solution. Click this link to read the reflection of Monsignor Greg Moys on page two of his parish's bulletin. For those who have lost their jobs, we need to offer assistance. For those who have not been directly effected, the mentality of scarcity which results in hoarding is a moral problem which may need re-evaluation. While high unemployment is not good, if the unemployment rate is 10%, that means 90% of people do have jobs. That's better than many countries. Looking at the events ongoing in Kenya, we can be truly thankful that we can even gather such statistics in a peaceful way.

The miracle of the loaves and fishes may offer some help here. First of all, this event is recorded in all of the Gospel, something which most certainly speaks of its importance. But, some biblical scholars have offered an alternative interpretation of the event which shows another lens which begs a response. This alternative interpretation sees the initial problem of the shortage of food as due to selfish hoarding. The crowd had plenty amongst themselves, but the perception of scarcity made them hoard their food. Jesus' blessing over the known bread and fish broke the chains of sin in the hearts of the people. Their stony hearts were changed from selfish absorption to an openness to the concerns of others. Again, this is not a mainstream interpretation, but may offer some thoughts about what kind of sensibility we should have as Christians.

A scarcity mentality can darken our joy and blind us to the abundance that is before us. We need to break through the chains that captivate us in selfishness. Certainly, God is the first one whom we need to seek. In addition, we can do some spiritual and concrete things which will remind us of the joy which God wants us to have. Therefore, I would like to offer my list of 101 concrete ways to combat our culture of scarcity in which we now live. All these things, while seemingly small or even trivial, can be very spiritual and concrete actions that can help us from day to day. I am not endorsing any particular companies nor attempting to advertise any businesses, but simply referencing local ideas that may serve to help you discern how you may be able to accomplish some of these ideas. Maybe you can create your own 101 ideas and act on them.

(Okay! It's longer than 101 acts. I just couldn't help myself.)

1. Pray.
2. Pray.
3. Pray some more.
4. Read the Gospel of Mark
5. Vacuum the floor
6. Concentrate on paying off a debt (start with the smallest)
7. Clean the work bench in the garage
8. Take someone out for dinner
9. Get rid of clutter around a specific area
10. Turn off the evening news on television
11. Compete your tax return
12. Smile at someone and wish them a good day
13. Mop the kitchen floor
14. Join a menʼs or womenʼs faith sharing group
15. Clean out that junk drawer
16. Walk around the block noticing things around you
17. Give out socks to the homeless
18. Clean up that mess on your computerʼs desktop
19. Attend Mass during the week
20. Donate unused clothes to a local charity
21. Read the Acts of the Apostles
22. Read a book about the faith
23. Wash some clothes
24. Clean the inside of the car
25. Serve at a soup kitchen
26. Make a random donation to your favorite charity
27. Go to Confession
28. Watch an uplifting TV program
29. Eat some chocolate
30. Wash the car of a family member without letting them know
31. Serve once at Coffee and Donuts on Sunday
32. Take up a new hobby such as photography or woodworking
33. Start playing your favorite sport
34. Mail $20 to someone anonymously
35. Open the drapes/blinds in the house
36. Go on a retreat
37. Clean up your e-mail on your computer
38. Visit some children
39. Attend Evening Prayer at Mount Angel Abbey
40. Go camping
41. Adopt a pet
42. Exercise
43. Attend Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
44. Write a snail-mail letter/card to someone who may need it 
45. Start a Facebook account and connect with friends
46. Go on a homeless immersion retreat with JOIN 
47. Do something “green” (ie. use a recyclable bag when shopping, unscrew one lightbulb in the house, turn off unused lights, avoid using plastic bags)
48. Go to the Zoo, OMSI, or Evergreen Air & Space Museum
49. Cuddle with your pet
50. Take a Sunday drive
51. Visit the Trappist Abbey
52. Go on a wine-tasting tour
53. Go to/rent an uplifting or thought provoking movie
54. East some popcorn with butter
55. Mow the lawn
56. Offer your time as a Eucharistic Minister or Lector at Mass
57. Go to the coast for a day
58. Paint something
59. Go for a bike ride
60. Drive the scenic route on the Gorge
61. Share a funny story with someone and laugh at yourself
62. Listen to your favorite (uplifting) song
63. Curl up with your spouse
64. Look at funny animal pictures on the Internet
65. Go watch some live music
66. Go fishing
67. Go to see some amazing waterfalls (Multnomah, Silver Creek, etc.)
68. Clean the siding of your house
69. Ride Tri-met from one side of the metro area to the other, just for fun
70. Work in your garden
71. Try a new food
72. Go skiing, sledding, or tubing
73. Take someone to a play performance
74. Go to bed early and get up early
75. Read about the Lives of the Saints
76. Build a model
77. Go garage-saleing or window shopping
78. Enroll in a class that youʼve always wanted to take
79. Send flowers anonymously (or not) to someone who may need them
80. Attend a youth sports game
81. Clean the garage
82. Learn to play the guitar (maybe lessons?)
83. Take a class to use your computer better
84. Spread good news about someone behind their back
85. Lounge in a hammock in the backyard, weather permitting
86. Go on a Marriage Encounter Weekend
87. Read the Book of Lamenations 3:21-24
88. Go Geocaching with a friend
89. Go bowling or play putt-putt- golf
90. Let someone cut in front of you in traffic
91. Drive to a lily farm
92. Go for a walk picking up garbage as you go
93. Pay for the car behind you in the drive thru
94. Go tent camping in your backyard or living room
95. Go to Saturday Market in Portland
96. Help a neighbor with a project
97. Wear Shorts, flip-flops, and a Hawaiian Shirt all day
98. Buy a kite and fly it on the beach
99. Walk around Waterfront Park and Pioneer Square in Portland
100.Take a day trip to Mt. Hood or Mt. Saint Helens
101.Write your own list of 101 Spiritual Acts in a Culture of Scarcity

'cause I just couldn't stop, here's some more...

102.Rent a canoe or kayak and take it to your favorite lake
103.Make an inspiring music video or slide show
104.Crank up an uplifting song in your house and dance
105.Hug a friend
106.Go for a helicopter ride
107.Watch a silly movie with a friend
108.Call a person on the phone with whom you haven't talked in a long time
109.Donate money to a charity
110.Babysit a relative's child so they can go on a date
111.Drive someone to Mass
112.Take a day off from work
113.Thank someone for something they've done, and mean it.
114.Listen to someone and don't talk
115.Thank God for all you've been given
116.Volunteer to tutor someone
117.Create your own "Bucket List". Watch the movie of the same name
118.Accept others where they are at and not where they should be
119.Make breakfast for dinner
120.Rearrange your furniture
121.Volunteer at your Church
122.Give a lottery ticket to someone
123.Post a positive comment on someone's blog/web page
124.Stay local during Spring Break and enjoy God's creation in your own zip code
125.Give a phone card to a homeless person
126.Write a thank you to someone who has made a difference in your life
127.Visit a animal shelter and pet the dogs and cats
128.Powerwash the driveway
129.Whistle a happy tune while walking around
130.Invite friends over for a car washing party
131.Go skydiving
132.Donate blood
133.Fast one meal and give a sack lunch to a homeless person
134.Tell your parents how grateful you are to them
135.Bring cookies or sweets to share with your coworkers
136.Submit an editorial in the newspaper about how great life is
137.Praise a fellow employee to their boss
138.Take flowers and a get well card to someone in the hospital who has none
139.Leave an anonymous note on the windshield of someone's car wishing them a great day
140.Share your consessions with those around you at a sporting event
141.Buy a gift certificate for a dinner for two and anonymously mail it to someone you know
142.Donate stuff or time to a fundraiser
143.Help someone with their homework
144.Donate food or money to the St. Vincent de Paul
145.Donate blankets, sheets, towels, socks, and toiletries to a homeless shelter
146.Volunteer at a Special Olympics Event
147.Visit a animal shelter and pet the dogs and cats
148.Clean out your refrigerator
149.Volunteer to pet-sit for a neighbor or friend
150.Create a web site for a non-profit group
151.Volunteer with your local Habitat for Humanity group
152.Sing along to the radio or a CD playing your favorite Christian song
153.Search the Internet for "stories of hope"
154.Visit an art, history, or nature museum
155.Get a Twitter account and follow your favorite people
156.Paint your mailbox in a creative way.
157.Get a massage
158.Visit someone in a nursing home
159.Hike the nearest mountain
160.Go for a scooter ride.
161.Give yourself $1 to feed yourself all day
162.Search through your e-mail addressbook and e-mail someone whom you haven't communicated with in a while
163.Go on a homeless immersion retreat with JOIN


The list will continue...

Could you create your own list?