First Words

The first words are often the most difficult to create. This morning my mind is scattered with all types of topics ranging from Healthcare reform to “Race in America” to the Twilight movies.

Life is filled with all types of discussion topics and diversions. It would be easy to succumb to the idea that this is an era of randomness, fueled and fooled by technology. Between the internet, smart phones, and wide screen televisions our eyes are connected to the world whether we want to be connected or not. I am not against technology. I am concerned with the application of technology.

Human intercourse used to be very simple. Either you were in the same room having a conversation or you communicated through written letters. A few years passed and the telephone was invented. That added one more way. You could call from across town or around the world and talk and have a conversation. Then, the internet came along a couple of years later and the choices for communication has increased.

Technology has not improved our conversations. In many ways it has destroyed it. Recently, I had a conversation with a good friend about does it feel like to be in love. I was stumped and unable to really satisfactorily describe the feeling.

Technology pretends to make processes more efficient. In business and professional this appears to have some validity; however, in interpersonal affairs technology creates all types of little problems which are glossed over.

Being a good Catholic means looking at everything that is available and deciding what makes sense for you as an individual. Will that new smart phone really improve how you pray? Being a good Catholic means being concerned about the entire world and not just a little personal spot. Does this computer game really help me to understand the Passion of Christ? Being a good Catholic means finding a way to spread the Word. Technology has always assisted with that.

Human beings need to have time alone, to reflect upon their lives, to reflect upon their faith. Discernment is a very important aspect of being Catholic; our faith always needs as more workers to do God’s work. The church pleads with its members to consider different vocations, different ways of doing God’s work. The church’s call for vocations is a very beautiful direct appeal. It reminds us that the church is a living breathing entity that wants to have a conversation, a direct face to face conversation with everyone and more importantly the church wants to help each and everyone of us to have an ongoing face to face conversation with God.