Avoiding Hedonism and Individualism

Day 16
28th Wednesday in ordinary time, 16 October 2024
Feast : St. Hedwig; St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Reading : Gal. 5:18-25
Gospel : Luk. 11:42-46

“But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
(Galatians 5:18)

Hedonism comes from the Latin term ‘Hedone’, which means pleasure. Hedonism refers to the prioritization of pleasure in one’s lifestyle, actions, and thoughts to obtain happiness. This behavior is classified as negative because its focus is only on oneself, on one’s desire, and for the sake of one’s satisfaction. Apart from being wasteful and consumptive, people tend to be arrogant as they always want to look “extraordinary” and show off their belongings and performance. People forget that in the “abundance” of God, there is always someone else’s entrustment of their rights.

From living as a hedonist, a person can then fall into individualism. According to Wikipedia, individualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, ideology, and social outlook that emphasizes the intrinsic worth of the individual. Individualists promote realizing one’s goals and desires, valuing independence and self-reliance, and advocating that the interests of the individual should gain precedence over the state or a social group while opposing external interference upon one’s own interest by society or institutions such as the government.

Jesus’ disciples must be alert to hedonism and individualism. God’s teaching and His example of love are reciprocal and relational. This means there are relationships and bonds created by two or several people. This love then becomes a cycle or chain of love, starting from the relationship between the Father and Jesus, then Jesus and the disciples, then the disciples to the world. The nature or understanding of hedonism and individualism is contrary to the law of love. “To love” means we are willing to give, even to the utmost as Jesus did, for the sake of saving others instead of focusing only on seeking our pleasure. We want to strive and share justice for our brothers and sisters who are lack recognition, powerless, and have no opportunity.

In love, a unity of life (communion) will be created or formed. Like the unity of life between God the Father and the Son. Everything comes from the Father, be it His words, commands, and love, abides in the Son, Jesus Christ. This communion is clear in the glory that Jesus received from His Father and then returned to the Father throughout His life, especially through the cross and His resurrection.
The words, commands, and love of Jesus that resided in His disciples are the Father’s glory that Jesus shared with His disciples throughout His life. In the end, the communion or unity of love between Jesus and the disciples must truly exist between them, manifested in the faith in Jesus Christ. This is the faith that unites the followers of Christ with all their differences. However, we have to remember that this faith must also be visible to others, through the testimony of the life of Jesus’ followers.

In His prayer, Jesus prays Ut Unum Sint: they may be one. To this day, there is still separation and conflict among Jesus’ followers. Hedonism and individualism in this era are big challenges in realizing the unity of love among them. As Pope Francis said, “Christians need to strive for a path of real unity, as the world will only believe in Christ if we bear witness to “the love that unites us” (Vatican News).

Today’s mission: sharing justice and fraternity in the communion with God and others.

(Budi Ingelina – National Bureau of Pontifical Mission Society)

DAILY DEDICATED PRAYER

Lord, our Father, I present my today prayer, thought, word, work, joy, and sorrow in the unity with Your Son, Jesus Christ, who always presents Himself in the Eucharist for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit animating Jesus, also be my guidance and strength today so that I am ready to be the witness of Your love.

Together with Mary, Mother of Jesus, and the Church, in particular, I present my prayer for our Pope and apostle prayer of the Indonesian Church this month:

Universal Church Intent: For a shared mission
We pray that the Church continues to sustain in all ways a Synodal lifestyle, as a sign of co-responsibility, promoting the participation, the communion, and the mission shared among priests, religious, and lay people.

Indonesian Church Intent: Health Institution
We pray that Health Institutions, both government and private, prioritize patient recovery and safety above the medical industry’s interest, and provide wholehearted service without discriminating socio-economic status.

MISSIONARY ROSARY PRAYER

God Almighty Father,
Your Son has appointed the Bishops as the successors of the Apostles to proclaim the Kingdom of God to grant salvation to humans. In the celebration of the 100th year of The Bishop’s Conference of Indonesia, the Catholics in Indonesia are grateful for the work of Your Holy Spirit, who has guided the Bishops and the faithful to walk together in building the Church and nation. We pray that with this celebration, Catholic churches in Indonesia will be more united and become a sign of the presence of Your love for others, especially those who are small, weak, poor, marginalized, and disabled. In the light of Your love, we pray that the church will be bolder in becoming the main mover to building true brotherhood and preserving the integrity of creation and commonwealth. With Mary, mother of all nations and model of faith, we unite all prayers and hopes. Through the intercession of Jesus Christ, Your Son, Lord, and our Intercessor.
Amen

The Resurrection
“The angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said” (Matt. 28:5-6).

Prayer is intended for the continent of Asia (yellow beads)
Lord, Father, and Mary, Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we pray for the people on the continent of Asia, especially young people. Bless the youth with a spirit of mission and fraternity in the love of Christ. May Catholic churches in Asia, with their spirit of synodality and togetherness, increasingly open their heart to willingly listen to the voices of young people. Guide Church leaders, especially Bishops and Priests, to sincerely attempt to understand the aspirations, anxieties, and dreams of young people so that they can realize the Church’s vision and mission in everyday life. With Your grace of faith, may the young Catholics in Asia dare to come out as witnesses of living faith amid global challenges like secularism, exploitation of humans and nature, and religious violence. Through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Intercessor. Amen.