Shattered Dreams 2

'Opening up to the world' is an expression that has been co-opted by the economic and financial sector and is now used exclusively of openness to foreign interests or to the freedom of economic powers to invest without obstacles or complications in all countries. Local conflicts and disregard for the common good are exploited by the global economy in order to impose a single cultural model. This culture unifies the world, but divides persons and nations, for as society becomes ever more globalised, it makes us neighbours, but does not make us brothers.  

We are more alone than ever in an increasingly massified world that promotes individual interests and weakens the communitarian dimensions of life. Indeed, there are markets where individuals become mere consumers and bystanders. As a rule, the advance of this kind of globalism strengthens the identity of the more powerful, who can protect themselves, but it tends to diminish the identity of the weaker and poorer regions, making them more vulnerable and dependent. In this way, political life becomes increasingly fragile in the face of transnational economic powers that operate with the principle of 'divide and conquer'. 

(From Pope Francis' Encyclical Letter, Fratelli Tutti, On Fraternity and Social Friendship, a. 12) 

/Comment. Perhaps, as Christians, we can reflect on the growing power of those who own, run and control the social media platform. Is not their identity (hubris?), their voice getting stronger and stronger, in proportion as they become financially richer from this new form of trade?  

• Is not Christian identity facing a new challenge, in terms of clinging to its own narrative, the unique source of orientation, Revelation? Is not 'self-forgetting' and abandoning religious observance is something that weakens the person, and makes it more and more exposed to the manipulative forces of consumption and 'information-trade'? 
• In this climate, the Eucharist, and the role of the local churches is so obviously important. We need to form and make our local churches resilient. We have to have places and communities of worship where God speaks to us./