by Edwin Rodrigues
Technology
has endowed us with much power!
Just a
click of the mouse or a “send” command on a smart phone can instantly transmit
information and connect people scattered across the globe.
People
can form groups where important updates can be shared with all the members
instantly. In any given circumstance, in good times and in times of sickness,
an update can ease fears of the worst or -- God forbid -- break unpleasant news
without delay. The Internet and the various platforms of social media are
indeed inventions to be marveled at!
Thankfully,
good people have developed applications that give us access to the Order of the
Mass and Daily Readings, the Liturgy of Hours, Saint for the Day and the Bible.
My personal favorites are the Laudate and EWTN apps. These and many others are
available free! On EWTN (Eternal Word
Television Network) I listen to Daily Mass and other rich Catholic content,
which evangelizes with God’s own power! I can even get the latest Vatican news.
I've seen
people very effectively using Whatsap, a mobile messaging app that allows you
to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS (text messaging). It's all
done voluntarily, of course with inspiration from The Holy Spirit. One member
of the group shares about the saint of the day, another shares Mass Readings,
and yet another reflections.
All of
this sanctifies and unifies everyone in the group besides confirming each
other in the faith. “For the rest, brethren,
whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever
holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if
any praise of discipline, think on these things.” (Phil 4:8)
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| Catholic means universal |
“The joys and the hopes,
the griefs and the anguishes of the people of our time, especially of those who
are poor or afflicted in any way, are the joys and the hopes, the griefs and
the anguishes of the followers of Christ as well,” (from the opening statement of the
Pastoral Constitution Gaudium
et spes on “The Church in the Modern World.”
So while
the Catholic Church is orthodox in its teachings there is always a pristine
freshness and newness in all of its undertakings!
But alas!
Three words -- “fallen human nature" -- manage to creep into the conversation and
we lose control over moderation and modesty in the name of modernity!
And once
this sets in, much havoc is created as platforms such as Facebook, Whatsap
(which are in and of themselves innocuous) are reduced to tools of addiction
and selfish pleasure. Such is never gratifying. It leaves those indulging themselves
disappointed and craving for more.
Also, the
temptation is to present oneself as good-looking and well to do. These are
forms of deception that the evil one loves to play with.
When we
lose touch with Jesus, we automatically lose touch with reality and goodness.
Precious time -- running into several
hours in a day -- and money, which could have been used for noble and
constructive pursuits, are exchanged for fleeting moments of self-centered
entertainment. There is a real risk of one becoming narcissistic. Perhaps
those who get caught in this vicious circle are looking for happiness. But
unfortunately for them joy remains elusive. For Joy comes from being close to
The Lord, who is Joy Himself.
"Unless the Lord builds
the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the
city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) This is evident in families that are not
rooted in prayer and built on the Rock, who is Jesus Himself. Members of a
household could be living under the same roof, and perhaps be present at the
same table at a given moment but still ironically they could be so disjointed. Watch.
Each member is busy communicating and yet there is “zero communication.” Each
one is engrossed in side conversations with other friends on their phones. Little
or no eye contact is made. Occasionally, someone might burst into laughter on
reading a joke. The family goes through the motions of consuming the food while
entirely missing out on the fellowship and grace of a meal! This is where media
--through poor choices on our part -- can erode the fabric of the family.
What once
was keenly anticipated as “family time” is now replaced by distractions in the
form of “data.” Little children yearn for undivided attention. Even Pope
Francis encourages parents to spend more time with their children. “Waste time
with your children!” he quipped. "Do you play with your children?”
Neglected children consequently imitate their parents and waste precious family
time with mobile phones and other gadgets. Parents who are busy find it
convenient to entertain their kids with nifty gadgets and then a new faulty
pattern of living is born!
Lord have
mercy! For it’s very difficult to get rid of porn and game addictions. They
create permanent neural pathways that make a person susceptible to sins of the
flesh.
Having
considered some of the merits and demerits of the media, we cannot leave ourselves
hopeless. For in the Lord is our hope
and our strength. Christ is always the Victor and he has given us a strategy mentioned
by St. Paul:
“Finally, be strong in
the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full
armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s
schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and
blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the
powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of
God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your
ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then,
with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of
righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that
comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this,
take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming
arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the
Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (Ephesians 6:10-18)
With this
in mind, be alert and keep on praying. What is heartening also is that while
the forces of darkness are at work, Catholic Radio in particular has gained
much momentum and popularity in many parts of the world, which include the
affluent U.S.A. and the impoverished Haiti. So, everything is not bleak
especially for those who through Divine Providence come across good Catholic
Radio such as EWTN and its affiliates.
EWTN’s
outreach is global and its content reaffirming for someone struggling with faith. One can get live coverage of papal
events. There are testimonies of witnesses who have converted and chosen life when
they were contemplating suicide or an abortion. Many have returned to the
Church through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. After wandering in the
wilderness for many years, they sought the sacraments because they heard what
they needed to hear over the airwaves.
God’s
Word speaks to the heart and it never returns empty. So shall my word be, which shall go forth from my mouth: it
shall not return to me void, but it shall do whatsoever I please, and shall
prosper in the things for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:1) Amen!
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| Author Edwin Rodrigues can be found on Twitter at@EdwinEd1667 |
