18th November 2018 - Bright Friday - Making space for a healthy economy

On this weeks programme John and Shane are joined by Martina Lehane Sheehan to discuss "Bright Friday" a day of calm and reflection in opposition to the increasing dominance of so-called ‘Black Friday’, the annual shopping frenzy which sees customers queuing and shoving to get bargain deals. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel as well as liturgical odds and ends and other notices.

You can listen to the podcast of this weeks full programme HERE.

"Bright Friday"

On this weeks programme Martina Lehane Sheehan talks to John and Shane about the proposal to hold a day of calm and reflection in opposition to the increasing dominance of so-called ‘Black Friday’, the annual shopping frenzy which sees customers queuing and shoving to get bargain deals. ‘Bright Friday’ which is on November 23rd will have periods of reflective music, mindfulness, meditations and poetry readings. People wanting an antidote to the consumerism of the day are being encouraged to drop by to areas where it is being hosted.

Martina Lehane Sheehan, discusses on the programme how modern research in psychology shows that “our externals can only contribute to our happiness by 10% (what we buy, what we own etc). Yet we chase it – especially on Black Friday!” She says that approximately 50% of our happiness levels are determined by genetic inheritance and 40% is in our own control when it comes to things like attitudes beliefs, etc.” She describes this as the 40 % solution.

In the United States, ‘Black Friday’ is traditionally the day after the Thanksgiving holiday when many retailers offer incentives to shoppers. Despite the fact that Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Ireland, ‘Black Friday’ is now a ubiquitous day on the Irish shopping calendar.

As a balancing to the madness of Black Friday the Bright Friday holds out a space for people to seek another kind of happiness during the day.

You can listen to the interview with Martina excerpted from the main programme podcast HERE.

Martina's website is available HERE.

Gospel - Mark 13:24-32

Jesus said to his disciples:"In those days after that tribulationthe sun will be darkened,and the moon will not give its light,and the stars will be falling from the sky,and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
"And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds'with great power and glory,and then he will send out the angelsand gather his elect from the four winds,from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.
"Learn a lesson from the fig tree.When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,you know that summer is near.In the same way, when you see these things happening,know that he is near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you,this generation will not pass awayuntil all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away,but my words will not pass away.
"But of that day or hour, no one knows,neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
Centre for Liturgy
English Dominicans
Sunday Reflections

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter week 1

Saints of the Week

November 19th - St Pontian
November 20th - St Cyprian of Calainizzi
November 21st - Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 
November 22nd - St Cecilia
November 23rd - St Columbanus
November 24th - St Andrew Dung-Tac & Companions