Are there spiritual benefits of boredom?

On Thursday I spoke on Morning Air about the spiritual possibilities of boredom. It’s good stuff! Listen here, starting at about 18:20. Notes:

Boredom happens! It’s natural, any time of year or life, and our natural tendency is to avoid it. It’s time to deprogram from seeking constant distractions and consumption and instead embrace that opportunity for silence and creativity.

We also talked about the habitual - addictive - way we reach for our phones and don’t even allow boredom to happen. Instead, we do mindless things. My favorite part of this interview was talking about remembering what we used to do in the evenings. before phones and social media - play a game, read a newspaper, play outside, call your Grandma.

We also discussed the role of imaginative contemplative prayer, how the use of your own imagination in the perfect antidote to boredom and the tendency to mindlessly scroll and consume.

Bottom line: don’t be afraid of boredom, it can’t hurt you, and God has given us the gift ourselves - so be with yourself!

Tomorrow on the radio: the spiritual possibilities within boredom

I once again am on Morning Air tomorrow at 8:20 am eastern, this time to discuss just what to do about boredom. Spoiler alert: I want to talk about how boredom is not something to be feared or avoided, but used to help oneself (or, say, one’s child) to embrace silence and one’s own creativity and imagination.

What made me think of this topic is the somewhat depressing thought that summer is, I guess, halfway over. Why count, right? But anyway, with much of the height of summer passed - or we’re just about right in it, now - boredom could be on the horizon. All the vacations are done, the bathing suits are uncomfortable, the snacks are no longer interesting, camp finished weeks ago - and so on. The opportunity for boredom to creep in could be upon us.

But again, don’t worry about it or avoid it. Look at it as an opportunity for spiritual growth. That’s pretty much the theme in everything I write.

Find out where and how to listen here.

What does the catechism say about patriotism?

Last week, the day before Independence Day, I joined the Morning Air show to discuss why it’s totally okay for Catholics to love both their country and their faith. We discussed how, in fact, patriotism is seen as something of a duty in the line of filial charity by certain parts of the Church! You can listen here, with the segment starting around 17:00.

Here’s the quote from the catechism I mention: “The love and service of one’s country follow from the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity” (CCC 2239).

I took my own advice and said a prayer for our country and its leaders on July 4th, and I hope you did, too. Every day is a good day to pray for America - even if you’re not American.