You may have heard that today, February 28th, has been declared an Economic Blackout Day. 

From CNN: 

In early February, John Schwarz, a self-described “mindfulness and meditation facilitator,” proposed a 24-hour nationwide “economic blackout” of major chains on the last day of the month.

Schwarz urged people to forgo spending at Amazon, Walmart, and all other major retailers and fast-food companies for a day. He called on them to spend money only at small businesses and on essential needs.

“The system has been designed to exploit us,” said Schwarz, who goes by “TheOneCalledJai” on social media, in a video to his roughly 250,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok. “On February 28, we are going to remind them who really holds the power. For one day, we turn it off.”

Schwarz, 57, has no background in social or political organizing. Until early this year, he almost exclusively posted videos of himself offering inspirational messages and motivational tips sitting in his home, backyard and shopping mall parking lots.

He had low expectations for his boycott message gaining traction. “I thought maybe a handful of my followers would do it,” he told CNN in a phone interview this week.

Instead, Schwarz’s call rapidly spread online. His video has been shared more than 700,000 times on Instagram and viewed 8.5 million times. Celebrities such as Stephen King, Bette Midler and Mark Ruffalo have encouraged people to participate. Reporters wrote and aired TV pieces about the boycott, propelling it further.

The “economic blackout” effort is relatively uncoordinated and nebulous. Experts on consumer boycotts and corporate strategy are dubious that it will make a dent in the bottom lines of the massive companies it targets, let alone the vast US economy. Effective boycotts are typically well organized, make clear and specific demands and are focused on one company or issue.

But this boycott has gained strength online because it has captured visceral public anger with the American economy, corporations and politics.

Here’s an idea, Catholics: adopt this concept for Lent.

Make every Friday during Lent a kind of “blackout day.”  But the purpose for this isn’t economic protest; it’s to turn away from materialism and distractions that get in our way.

Every Friday, do this. Close your wallet. Put away the credit card. Don’t buy anything. Abstain from convenience, from shopping, from spending money on things you don’t need. Eat in. Bring a brown bag lunch to work (with a nice meatless sandwich inside.) Forget Door Dash and Amazon and FedEx and Walmart and anything else that delivers. Put down the smart phone. Stop the incessant scrolling to check your social media feeds and all their tempting ads.

Do without, and then do something meaningful with what you have. Take a walk. Say a prayer, Finger a rosary. Hold a hand. Lend an ear. Help someone know dignity. Drop into church. Volunteer somewhere. Get behind the business end of a soup ladle. Give up being comfortable for one day.

And beyond giving up, give thanks.

Give thanks for all you have and remember those who have not. Pray, especially,  for our country, “God shed his grace on thee.”  Boy, do we need it.

Try it. Let’s give up more than desserts and Netflix this Lent. And let’s give more to what really matters, all in preparation for Easter.

If you’re looking for other ideas on how to simply your life this Lent, and fast from the frenzy of modern living, check out my book, The Handy Little Guide to Fasting.