As the seasons turn, we are now seeing so much more of the sun. Personally, I need sunlight — one of the first things I do each morning is open the blinds, to let the sunlight in (regardless of that day's forecast, the time of  year, or whether the sun is yet up). And yet, just as we observed in a piece last year about being glued to mobile devices and social media addiction, for too many people, that warmth of the sun is replaced by the glow of a screen. For some of us (including adults), it's social media; others, it's short-attention-span videos (like TikTok), and for those with maybe too much attention span, it's binge-watching TV shows through Netflix or some other platform (on screens of all sizes). You know, this problem goes back decades, even when I was a kid. I remember my father claimed how he HATED SITCOMS. Just the sound of the phony laugh-tracks and the actors shouting became like nails on a chalkboard. Why? Because each time he arrived home from work at night, many of his kids were camped in front of the TV, endlessly watching reruns of ... whatever (Unfortunately, my mother had passed and was not around to turn the TV off, which she would have done). If we were digesting something that was better for us, he may not have been so upset, or felt like our TV obsession was his failure. Back then, the old adage "Garbage in, garbage out," was as true as it is today. And the people producing those programs had no more interest in our physical, psychological or spiritual well-being than most of those creating mainstream entertainment today. What does "Garbage In, Garbage Out," mean? Feel free to research it yourself. But it is universally summed up by this definition: in any system (mechanical or biological), the quality of output is determined by the quality of the input. And where do we find garbage? In the dumpster. Is that where you're eating? Before you answer, consider it deeply and honestly. Yes, it's a jarring question. It’s meant to be. Here's another question: How is this "diet" making you feel? Do you feel joyful? Does it inspire you to seek purpose in the life you have ahead of you, do great things, and make the world a better place for your loved ones and neighbors? Or do you just stay put ... and wait for the next episode to start? In the banquet of life, too many of us find ourselves rummaging through scraps, addicted to the immediate gratification and digital distractions, rather than pursuing the stuff of real, palpable, life-changing greatness.

The Worst — and Most Successful — Sales Pitch in History

Consider what might just be the worst, and ironically the most successful sales pitch in history: "Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me" (paraphrase of Luke 9:23). These words from Jesus Christ turn the world's logic on its head. Instead of promising comfort, ease, or endless entertainment, He offers a path marked by denial, sacrifice, and service. It's a call to Greatness that doesn't align with a world of binge-watching and endless scrolling. Why? Because Jesus challenges us to look beyond the immediate gratification of our desires, and even this life. He asks us to consider not what makes us temporarily comfortable, but what makes us eternally fulfilled. This path — demanding as it may seem — promises a joy that the fleeting pleasures of the world can never match.

The Dumpster Diet: Mobile Devices and Binge-Watching

For generations now, young people have been on some form of a "dumpster diet." However, in the past twenty years, the toxicity of it has increased a thousand-fold. Trust me: sit down and watch just one episode of a show called Three's Company, which was controversial when it came out, and compare it to anything you can pull up on your mobile device today, or is aired on any network 24 hours a day. It has gotten that bad. Obsessed with mobile devices and binge-watching, there's a consistent gravitation towards content that fills your mind with filth, and empties your soul (Don't believe me? It's the hunger you feel it each time the show ends, and you put the device down). The irony is palpable: in an age of unparalleled connectivity, many feel more LONELY than ever. In the endless pursuit of comfort, there's a gnawing sense of misery, a hunger for something more.

"The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness." —Benedict XVI

I'm not trying to guilt you over screen time. I'm as guilty at times as everyone else. It's about recognizing that, in the words of Pope Benedict XVI, "The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness." When we settle for the comfort of the dumpster (did I really just say that?), we miss out on the feast we were made to enjoy.

The Feast of Greatness

Greatness, in this context, isn’t about achieving fame or accumulating wealth. It’s about living a life of God-given, purpose, integrity, and service. It’s about cultivating virtues like courage, patience, and generosity. It’s about using your talents and time in service to others and in pursuit of a cause greater than oneself. It's a purpose to get up in the morning. Greatness involves stepping away from the screen to engage with the real world — to connect deeply with others, to experience the beauty of nature, to contribute to your community, and to embrace the challenges and opportunities that life presents.

Making the Switch: From Dumpster to Banquet

Making the switch from the dumpster to the banquet involves a conscious choice. It requires recognizing the emptiness of what the world calls "living" and embracing the fullness of life offered through a path of self-denial, sacrifice, and service.

• Deny Yourself: This means, quite simply, setting aside selfish desires and instant gratifications for something greater. It's about discipline, about choosing to engage in activities that enrich rather than deplete you.
• Take Up Your Cross: Every great endeavor involves challenge and sacrifice. Whether it’s pursuing an education, excelling in a sport, or mastering an art, the path to achievement is marked by hard work and perseverance. For greatness, a price must be paid.
• Follow Me: For us Christians, following Christ is the ultimate call to greatness. It’s a journey that transforms every aspect of life, infusing it with purpose, joy, and love. He also challenges us to seek not the pursuits of our own will (wants and desires), but that of the Will of our Heavenly Father. It is also a challenge that most of us struggle with our entire lives.

Are You Ready to Leave the Dumpster Behind?

The next time you dive into your screen to binge on your favorite Netflix series, ask yourself this single question, inwardly and honestly: Do the people who created this program CARE about ME? To every young person fixated on a screen, consider this question, and the invitation here. An invitation to a life of greater purpose, deeper joy, and true fulfillment. A life where you’re not merely consuming content but creating value for others, as well as yourself. This is a life not measured by fake friends and likes, but by the love you give and the difference you make. Are you ready to leave the dumpster behind and step up to the banquet of greatness you were made for? It’s your move.