What To Expect in 2024

It's that time of year when "everyone" weighs in about what we can expect in 2024. Let's save some of our precious time here and simply say: Who really knows?

Of course, given my business of helping folks make reasonably good decisions about their money, I do peruse a lot of the geniuses out there who purport to know what we can expect. And I do try to take in and digest those comments and opinions that might help me help folks make good decisions about their money. 

That being said, there's nothing in particular that jumped out over the last week. So how about we turn away from the noise and consider what might benefit all of us, whatever our circumstances? What might that be? Well, here are some things that literally "popped up" - in sequence no less - during my daily early morning reading, study, and sundry activities, most of which focuses on the health of my soul and body before I get down to the daily tasks I must attend to in my work.

All of these "appeared" this past Thursday. 

(By the way, the quotes (") are used because, frankly, there are no coincidences in this life our ours. All unfolds according to God's Plan both for His Creation (the universe) and for each of us as individuals. With that as background, the following might make more sense."

All will be presented without comment. If you're interested so far, it would greatly benefit you to read these items thoughtfully. It's the only way they might make some sense. If you do that, it will be time well spent. You will - or should - see that one follows the other and amplifies on the previous. Again, I didn't chose these in this order. 'They chose me - so to speak.

The first "pop up" was from my daily spiritual reading:

  “Here below man habitually lives in an atmosphere of error. Political events, material preoccupations, the tyranny of current principles, the customs of the world, the fads and vogues of society, luxury, and a hundred other things, insensibly engross his attention. To such an extent is his mind monopolized by these ideas that he seems not to realize that beyond this passing world in which he now lives there is another which is eternal. What is true of men in general is true, to a certain extent, of pious souls. Human respect, attachment to a person, an object, or an employment; little jealousies, friction with others, trifling pretensions – all these, and many other similar nothings, distract the best souls from the one thing necessary. One must always act against what the Holy Spirit calls: ‘The fascination of trifles.’ For while the soul is thus dissipated and absorbed from without, Jesus cannot occupy her from within. In order to get beyond appearances and to face realities, deep and frequent reflection is necessary so that the seriousness of life and what will follow it may be grasped.
    “First then: What is the life of man? Compared with the eternity of God it is only an instant, or rather, the infinitesimal fraction of a second. Man appears for a short time on this earth to spend a few days; like a traveler he pauses here and there on the road and finally reaches his eternity. In this vast and wondrous universe the place he occupies is very small, and the part he plays there is very insignificant; few know him, and fewer still are interested in him. The space covered by his dwelling and what he calls his property is inconsiderable, and his death will make it still more so. The earth itself, on which man has so limited a place, is only an atom compared with the immensity of the heavens. ‘The generations which people it,’ the Holy Spirit tells us, ‘are like a drop of water sparkling in a vase.’ All men, who so greedily pursue wealth and pleasure, all nations who tear each other asunder to secure the preponderance of power in this world, are less than a handful of ants who dispute the possession of a wisp of straw. Whilst they thus pursue the objects of their dreams, they are advancing unconsciously towards the pit, which will swallow up all their vain hopes. Thus have lived, are living, and will live, the generations which have succeeded each other or will succeed each other on earth. The few chosen souls have lifted their thoughts and hearts above deceptive appearances and have sought after eternal goods.” - Fr. Joseph Schryvers, C.SS.R. (1876-1945)

Next, in my daily reading of Scripture, this from St. Luke's Gospel

15 And he said to them: Take heed and beware of all covetousness; for a man's life doth not consist in the abundance of things which he possesseth.

16 And he spoke a similitude to them, saying: The land of a certain rich man brought forth plenty of fruits. 17 And he thought within himself, saying: What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said: This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and will build greater; and into them will I gather all things that are grown to me, and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul: Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years take thy rest; eat, drink, make good cheer. 20 But God said to him: Thou fool, this night do they require thy soul of thee: and whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God. 22 And he said to his disciples: Therefore I say to you, be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat; nor for your body, what you shall put on. 23 The life is more than the meat, and the body is more than the raiment. 24 Consider the ravens, for they sow not, neither do they reap, neither have they storehouse nor barn, and God feedeth them. How much are you more valuable than they? 25 And which of you, by taking thought, can add to his stature one cubit?

26 If then ye be not able to do so much as the least thing, why are you solicitous for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these. 28 Now if God clothe in this manner the grass that is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more you, O ye of little faith? 29 And seek not you what you shall eat, or what you shall drink: and be not lifted up on high. 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek. But your Father knoweth that you have need of these things.

31 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.

(Luke 12: 15-31)

Finally, the 3rd item that "popped up" while reading St. Paul's Epistle to The Philippians, Chapter 4:

I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content therewith. 12 I know both how to be brought low, and I know how to abound: (everywhere, and in all things I am instructed) both to be full, and to be hungry; both to abound, and to suffer need. 13 I can do all these things in him who strengtheneth me.

Happy New Year!