Episode 2844: Living for Christ, Not the Weekend - Nightly Episode

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear Guardian Angel, and all you saints of God, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen.”

Living for Christ, Not the Weekend
We begin by grounding our discussion in Scripture. St. Paul writes in Galatians 6:14:
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."
This verse invites us to consider how the Cross transforms every aspect of our lives, including how we rest. Rest is not simply an escape from the burdens of life but a way to glorify God and realign ourselves with His purpose.
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The Problem: Post-Christian Cultural Pollution
In the world we live in today, the cultural landscape has undergone a profound transformation, one that has moved far from its Christian foundations. Fr. John Bartunek aptly identifies this when he says:
"Unfortunately, this area of human endeavor [rest and relaxation] has also been affected by post-Christian cultural pollution. Pastimes we engage in for necessary rest and relaxation should be both enjoyable and edifying. They should refresh us, but they should also encourage our Christian values or at least not discourage them."
Let’s unpack this statement and its implications for our daily lives.
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Understanding Post-Christian Cultural Pollution
Post-Christian cultural pollution refers to the pervasive influence of ideologies, practices, and values that contradict the teachings of Christ. In entertainment, this can manifest in many forms:
1. The Normalization of Sin
Modern media often normalizes behaviors and attitudes that the Church identifies as sinful sexual immorality, greed, violence, and disrespect for human dignity. What was once considered shocking or immoral is now presented as mainstream or even aspirational.
2. Subtle Undermining of Faith
Many movies, books, and shows promote relativism, secularism, or outright hostility toward religion. Faith is often portrayed as outdated, irrational, or oppressive, while characters who embody worldly success are glorified.
3. Distraction from Higher Goods
The sheer volume of content available on streaming platforms, social media, and video games encourages consumption for its own sake. This constant influx of entertainment often numbs the soul, leaving little room for prayer, reflection, or meaningful relationships.
4. Idolatry of Leisure
Leisure, which should serve as a means to rest and refresh our spirits, is often elevated to an end in itself. Weekend binge-watching, compulsive gaming, or endless scrolling can become an escape from reality, displacing our focus from Christ.
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Entertainment as a Powerful Tool
Fr. Bartunek’s insight reminds us that entertainment is not neutral. It shapes our imagination, forms our values, and influences our behavior.
1. Imagination
The images, stories, and characters we consume leave a lasting impression on our minds. For example, children who grow up watching heroic, virtuous protagonists are more likely to aspire to those traits. Conversely, if entertainment glorifies anti-heroes or immoral behavior, it can distort our understanding of what is good and true.
2. Values
Entertainment reinforces the values it depicts. A steady diet of content that celebrates materialism, promiscuity, or cynicism can subtly erode our Christian worldview. Over time, we may find ourselves adopting these values, even unconsciously.
3. Behavior
What we consume often influences how we act. Studies show that exposure to violent media increases aggression, while uplifting content can inspire acts of kindness. This is why the Church has always emphasized discernment in what we allow into our hearts and minds.
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The Tension We Face
As Christians, we find ourselves caught between two extremes:
1. Immersion in Secular Culture
On one hand, we may be tempted to fully immerse ourselves in secular entertainment, accepting it uncritically. This path often leads to spiritual complacency and a weakening of our moral resolve.
2. Isolation from the World
On the other hand, some might advocate for complete separation from secular culture, retreating into a "Christian bunker." While this approach protects us from harmful influences, it can also deprive us of opportunities to engage with and transform the culture around us.
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A Balanced Response
Fr. Bartunek’s words call us to a third way a balanced approach that engages with culture critically and intentionally. This involves:
• Discernment: Evaluating entertainment choices in light of our faith. Does this movie, book, or show align with or contradict the teachings of Christ?
• Moderation: Ensuring that leisure activities do not overshadow our prayer life, relationships, or responsibilities.
• Redemption: Seeking out or supporting works of art that reflect truth, beauty, and goodness, even if they are not explicitly Christian.
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Why This Matters
In a world increasingly shaped by post-Christian values, the choices we make in entertainment are more than personal preferences they are acts of witness. By choosing what is good, true, and beautiful, we not only nourish our own souls but also send a message to those around us about what we value. As St. Paul reminds us:
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2)
Let us take this call seriously, using our rest and relaxation not as an escape from the Cross but as a means to bear it more faithfully.
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A Balanced Approach to Entertainment
Fr. Bartunek wisely warns against both extremes:
1. Retreating into a Christian "bunker," avoiding anything not explicitly religious.
2. Consuming entertainment indiscriminately, with no regard for its impact on our souls.
He notes:
"Generations of saints have nourished their minds and hearts on all the great artistic achievements of the human family, including pagan ones."
This perspective reminds us that Christians have always engaged with the broader culture, discerning the good, the true, and the beautiful while rejecting what leads to sin. St. Paul, in his epistles, exemplifies this by quoting pagan poets to illustrate truths about Christ.
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Practical Guidelines for Entertainment Choices
So, how can we navigate today’s entertainment landscape in a way that glorifies God and refreshes our spirits? Here are some practical steps:
1. Ask: Does this pastime align with Christian values?
While not every movie or book needs to be overtly religious, it should not glorify sin or present an occasion of sin for you or others.
2. Seek what is edifying.
Does this form of entertainment inspire virtues like courage, charity, and hope? Does it reflect truth and beauty, even if indirectly?
3. Be intentional with your time.
Remember that rest and leisure serve your mission in life they are not the mission itself. As Fr. Bartunek writes:
"Proper rest and entertainment are in the service of our life mission; they are not our goal. Christians don't live for the weekend; we live for loving Christ and building up His kingdom."
4. Take up the Cross in your leisure.
Sometimes, this means sacrificing personal preferences for the sake of your soul or the good of others. As St. Raymond reminds us, the Cross should be our boast and guide, even in our choices of how we spend our free time.
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The Call to Witness Through Leisure
Our choices in entertainment are not just private they are a witness to the world. When we choose wholesome, uplifting activities, we testify to the joy and freedom of a life centered on Christ.
Let us remember the shepherds in Luke 2:16-20, who glorified God for all they had seen and heard. Their joy was contagious, spreading the good news of Christ’s birth. Likewise, our joy in choosing what is good and true can inspire others to seek Christ.
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Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of rest, which You modeled for us on the seventh day of creation. Help us to use our leisure time wisely, that it may refresh our bodies and souls and draw us closer to You.
Lord Jesus,
Through Your Cross, You have redeemed every aspect of our lives. Teach us to boast only in Your Cross, and guide our choices in entertainment so that they reflect Your truth and beauty. May our rest be an act of love for You and a preparation for our mission to build up Your kingdom.
Holy Spirit,
Fill our hearts with wisdom and discernment. Protect us from the snares of sin and lead us to those activities that glorify God and edify our souls. Help us to be witnesses of joy and integrity in a world that so desperately needs Your light.
We ask this through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother and Queen. Amen.