From the Pew:
What do I Need to Hear?

What I Need to Hear on Sunday

By Michael Graham

As the father of four children (ages five, four, two and one), my wife and I consider ourselves to be very lucky, very blessed. We live in a cozy little community outside of Washington, D.C. and I work on Capitol Hill. However, in the last few years I have found my world consumed by quiet "distractions." Increasingly we've heard from friends and neighbors who talk about how they need a bigger house, need a country club membership or need a newer car.

These comments naturally force us to ask, do we need these things too?" After all, America is experiencing its longest economic boom in history, we should have our piece of the pie. Today, Americans spend considerable time surfing the web or sitting in front of the TV being bombarded by programs and messages that glorify money and power with an increasing dose of sex appeal. All these things look so wonderful and necessary. And for many people these things are attainable for the first time in their lives.

Lately, I've come to realize that my life's focus is not what it should be - must be those distractions again. I spend more time reviewing my stock portfolio, than examining my faith portfolio. I busy myself with planning my next vacation, but spend little time mapping out my spiritual journey. I take time to open and grow my children's education savings accounts, but do not devote equal time cultivating their religious education.

These quiet, almost sneaky distractions in my life have made me stray from focusing on my faith. My parents have told me since I was a child that the one true reality in life is my relationship with God. Everything else stems from that relationship - love toward family and friends, happiness, career, etc. Yet, I'm not so sure I have done a good job in making God the focus in my life.

That is why Sundays are so important to me. The time I spend at church listening to my parish priests have helped me stay focused on my relationship with God. For me, they make the Word a living, breathing part of my everyday life to help eclipse the negative, distracting messages I receive daily. It is extremely interesting for me to hear a theological argument, but not nearly as useful as giving me an image or story that will stick with me beyond Sunday morning. I don't need to make my life more complicated. I need it simpler. I suppose that is why Christ spoke in parables and symbols. I want and need to hear positive messages that will help chart a path for my spiritual journey and make me stay on the right path.

We often hear that the church's values, teachings and laws are not in step with the times. That's not true. However, the way these values, teachings and laws are communicated may be out of step. People will listen as long as the clergy is talking about them in a language and manner that is familiar. If you have ever heard a speaker mention a person's name from the audience you see that person perk up. It's no different when a priest talks about aspects or challenges in our lives. We listen and can't help but be affected.

I am very fortunate to belong to a parish whose priests give excellent homilies. It has to be one of the toughest jobs in America to get our attention away from life's little and not so little distractions, but it is critical for our spiritual survival.