What we didn’t KNOW, but might have FELT, was that this entire economic structure was a house of cards, destined to come down.

What we didn’t know is that our economic system is NOT Godly, that it offends justice, mercy and a host of virtues.  That it is NOT the kind of economic system that keeps God in the center, or even in, our hearts.

We will explore, on this blog, what Godly economics actually is, as time progresses.

Yet right now, today, catholics are suffering greatly from economic hard times. Before the economy actually does collapse, catholics are under great stress, losing their ‘wealth’ and creating problems in family relationships and expectations, and great fear for their future.

Let’s begin with the bottom line. What is a husband/father REQUIRED, BY GOD, to do for his family economically? St. Paul said to Timothy “But having food, and wherewith to be covered, with these we are content.” (1 Timothy 6) Husbands and fathers are required to sustain the lives of their families: food, clothing and shelter.

To be in good shape with God, that is what is required of husbands and fathers, financially speaking.

There is a very wide range of things that families have had that simply are luxuries. Television/cable/movies are not required. Sweets, snacks, dinners out are not required. Jewelry, hairdos, nails, makeup and the latest and greatest fashions are not required. Home ownership is not required. Video games, stuffed animals and toys are not required. Cell phones, blackberries, ipods, gadgets are not required. Pets are not required. You can go through an enormous list of things that we have become accustomed to, and the expectations we have of each other, that simply are not Godly.

Consider that our world, our economic system may be so out of kilter that it MUST come down in order to help us re-evaluate what is truly important. Can we, as the apostle said, be CONTENT with simply those things? This will be the great internal challenge everyone, every soul, in every catholic family will need to face as things progress economically.

The context around that scripture is definitely useful for prayerful meditation and family dicussion:

1 Timothy 6: 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world: and certainly we can carry nothing out. 8 But having food, and wherewith to be covered, with these we are content. 9 For they that will become rich, fall into temptation, and into the snare of the devil, and into many unprofitable and hurtful desires, which drown men into destruction and perdition. 10 For the desire of money is the root of all evils; which some coveting have erred from the faith, and have entangled themselves in many sorrows.“

This year, like no other up to now, is time for an EXTREME LENT. An EXTREME LENT for families to do TOGETHER.  An extreme Lent for couples to do together. An extreme Lent that gives everyone an opportunity to offer something they’ve enjoyed, become attached to, developed habits with, like shopping for pleasure, that can be sacrificed along with the sufferings and offerings of Christ. An extreme Lent of self discovery, of unrealistic expectations that damage a marriage, a relationship, a friendship.

Perhaps we approach this concept with fear. My wife expects… my son expects… I’ve been punished for…

These fears too need to be spoken, clarified and shared with other family members. They need to be offered at that dreadful, painful sacrificial cross. The sorrows, the self-examination, the damaging values and relationship habits need to be brought to Christ’s light and nailed to the cross with Him.

As the economy descends from a recession into a major depression, the more of this work that families are doing, the greater the gifts they are giving to the Living God. Our hearts and our souls need to be emptied of all that isn’t love, all that isn’t God, in order to leave space for God to fill with his glorious Holy Spirit.

This is no prosperity gospel. This is no easy task. Yet at the same time, IT WILL BE DONE, whether through external economic circumstances, or through purposeful connection and learning with God, with the Church, with the Holy Spirit. The intractable problems that are brought to light with this process will be the truth of the family relationship situations and will also point the way to restoration and blessing.