News from Good News Ministries:
- The Fear of Missing Out
- From Our Video Archives: More on How to Turn Your Crosses into Resurrections
- Plus, great links to great content!
The Fear of Missing Out
Listening to last Sunday’s Gospel, I thought, “When Thomas missed out on the appearance of the resurrected Jesus, where did he go?” Did he have to run out for groceries? Was he so tired and frustrated with being stuck in a locked room with his ten friends that he had to leave for fresh air? Scripture doesn’t tell us where he was, but it is worth pondering because, for St. Thomas, there was something more important or intriguing to do outside the locked upper room.
Young people use the term “FOMO,” an acronym for “fear of missing out.” In our fallen human nature, we often believe that “we will never get it if we don’t have it now”. That may be true, but many of us today rarely ask ourselves important questions. How is this going to make me a better person? Do I need this item/service? Instead, we are overcome by FOMO and, without thinking about it, proceed anyway — and sometimes even throw caution to the wind.
But what are we missing out on? Fleeting pleasure and fading material possessions. Can going to a rockstar’s concert, buying a new computer, or getting a fancy car satisfy your heart like Christ’s love? Nope. Even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time, choosing Christ over what the world offers always leads to lasting peace and joy.
God created you for so much more than to be sucked into a vortex of worldliness. By being wrapped up in the pleasures of this life, we will miss opportunities to know, love, and serve our Lord in this life, and we begin to doubt His goodness, providence, and even His existence.
St. Thomas missed his first opportunity to encounter the risen Lord; he had severe doubts. But fortunately for him and us, our God is merciful, loving, and offers us many chances to encounter Him throughout our lives. However, we do have to abandon worldliness to find Him; return to the upper room, put down the smartphone, and pick up a prayer journal. Perhaps then, when someone offers us a flashy temporal pleasure and says, “come on, life is short,” we will have the strength and conviction to reply, “you’re right and eternity is forever.”
Good News Prayer Room:
Use our collection of Catholic prayers designed with your needs in mind. They will give you hope and a stronger connection to God’s love and support. What do you need prayers for today?
Visit gnm.org/prayers.
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Good News WordBytes:
WANT MORE FAITH and HOPE in TROUBLED TIMES? WE’RE HERE for YOU! Choose from a variety of topics on our website of Catholic Faith-building articles. What do you need today?
Visit wordbytes.org.
From our Catholic Video Library
Continue the series on How to Turn Your Crosses Into Resurrections.
God bless you!
Every morning, I lift up in prayer everyone who helps Good News Ministries in any way (donors, volunteers, prayer supporters, etc.) and all the prayer requests posted on our site. What can I cover in prayer for you? Post your prayer request.
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Thank you for reading this newsletter.
Your servant in Christ,
Bill Snyder, Media Director
Good News Ministries
gnm.org
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How to Win Victories in Spiritual Warfare
Knowing God’s Will and Doing it Well
Lessons from the Blessed Mother
Daily Prayers with the Saints