NOTE: Unfortunately my internet access is extremely sporadic right now so my posts will continue to be sparse for a couple weeks, but I will do my best...
Attentiveness.
I will be the first admit that I am somewhat of a distracted person, and let's be honest - if our spiritual life is not exactly "up to par" for the time being, prayer time is the first place where distractions hit.
However, in recent Gospel readings (the exact day/reading is TBA...I forget right now haha), we are called as Christians to a higher discipline in which we are constantly living in the Light of Christ, in his Truth. Always striving for the "narrow gate," it is imperative that we practice the renewal of our minds (Romans) in order that we can truly live in that Light through faith. This calls for a sort of spiritual attentiveness in which we are aware of God's presence and will in our lives.
This is critical because we live in a media-saturated society that makes it almost impossible to escape the influence of media messages. Regardless of their form, media become most dangerous in their "distracting" effect on our minds - our self-awareness and our God-awareness. It takes great discipline to go on the internet and do ONLY what you have to do, what you intended to, yet we must practice the disciplines of prudence and moderation.
Though it may be challenging, we should not find it wrong or offensive or "not a big deal." Food is intrinsically necessary for our survival, yet even in that we are called to moderation. If it is something we Christians must practice even with food, then how much more so are we called to it in our other activities like media?
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
F&M I: Unprecedented Possibilities
"Modern technology places at our disposal unprecedented possibilities for good, for spreading the truth of our salvation in Jesus Christ and for fostering harmony and reconciliation. Yet its misuse can do untold harm, giving rise to misunderstanding, prejudice and even conflict" (39th World Communications Day, Pope John Paul II).
I believe that it's become strikingly obvious that the misuse of media can have a negative impact on society and the world, as noted in the second half of this quote. We've seen a rapid increase in immorality, the acceptance of it, and even the promotion of it in the name of "freedom." Security and privacy have become issues as more and more information is provided and asked for online. Sex is not treated as sacred, is equated with love, and is constantly the subject of all forms of media, desensitizing the human mind and eye to what should be left private and a mystery.
The "unprecedented possibilities for good" seem to be harder to actualize. However, we have a tendency to see only the bad, the taboo, the emotional. In the same World Communications Day message, JPII says:
It is absolutely imperative that we are aware of what we listen to. This is probably one of the most important points to make because it is easier to recognize pornographic sex scenes in a movie than it is to really listen to what the rappers are rapping. The overused line "I don't listen to they lyrics, only the music" is getting a little old, and frankly, it isn't true. What goes into our minds affects our hearts, and what's in our hearts comes out of our mouths. It's a cycle, and as we positively change our media intake we will find our hearts softened to living a life full of God's grace. Likewise, if we consistently compromise our consciences our hearts will harden and we will lose our ability to see and follow the light of Christ.
The living Word of God is the single most important object of our desire. Christ alone feeds us with the bread from heaven, and our intake of his Word, his body, and his Spirit will transform our hearts and lead us to "go and make disciples of all nations" with the unprecedented possibilities of mass communications at our fingertips.
I believe that it's become strikingly obvious that the misuse of media can have a negative impact on society and the world, as noted in the second half of this quote. We've seen a rapid increase in immorality, the acceptance of it, and even the promotion of it in the name of "freedom." Security and privacy have become issues as more and more information is provided and asked for online. Sex is not treated as sacred, is equated with love, and is constantly the subject of all forms of media, desensitizing the human mind and eye to what should be left private and a mystery.
The "unprecedented possibilities for good" seem to be harder to actualize. However, we have a tendency to see only the bad, the taboo, the emotional. In the same World Communications Day message, JPII says:
"The media can teach billions of people about other parts of the world and other cultures. With good reason they have been called 'the first Aeropagus of the modern age...for many the chief means of information and education, of guidance and inspiration in their behavior as individuals, families, and within society at large' (Redemptoris Missio, 37). Accurate knowledge promotes understanding, dispels prejudice, and awakens the desire to learn more. Images especially have the power to convey lasting impressions and to shape attitudes. They teach people how to regard members of other groups and nations, subtly influencing whether they are considered as friends or enemies, allies or potential adversaries" (2).This gives us a huge task, a giant and honorable responsibility. Is it sometimes easy to shy away from the particularly repulsive media? Yes. What about the not-so-repulsive-but-probably-still-not-good? Ehh, a little harder. But our responsibility as Christians goes beyond not doing things. Just as Christ did not banish the old law but fulfilled it, explaining that we are still to keep the commandments but also LOVE God and one another, so also does our responsibility lie not just in avoiding bad media but in actively using it for the glory of God.
It is absolutely imperative that we are aware of what we listen to. This is probably one of the most important points to make because it is easier to recognize pornographic sex scenes in a movie than it is to really listen to what the rappers are rapping. The overused line "I don't listen to they lyrics, only the music" is getting a little old, and frankly, it isn't true. What goes into our minds affects our hearts, and what's in our hearts comes out of our mouths. It's a cycle, and as we positively change our media intake we will find our hearts softened to living a life full of God's grace. Likewise, if we consistently compromise our consciences our hearts will harden and we will lose our ability to see and follow the light of Christ.
The living Word of God is the single most important object of our desire. Christ alone feeds us with the bread from heaven, and our intake of his Word, his body, and his Spirit will transform our hearts and lead us to "go and make disciples of all nations" with the unprecedented possibilities of mass communications at our fingertips.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Faith & Media
Over the course of the next 4 months, I will write a series on "Faith & Media." So far, I have used this as a personal blog/journal to talk about spiritual matters, but I believe we need to acknowledge the significant impact of our media culture and face its implications head-on.
As Christians, we are called to read the "signs of the times" and "go and preach to all nations." Now more than ever we have a vast number of means by which we can do this, but (as in every culture of every age) we must be effective communicators and see through the eyes of God. This means being both media literate and entirely detached, knowledgeable of the faith and nonjudgmental of others, defenders of Truth and keepers of the peace.
My purpose is not to condemn media or to command that Jesus' name be preached in every Facebook status or Twitter update. I do, however, intend to hopefully foster a more well-rounded, universal understanding of the media -- its purpose, drawbacks, opportunities, triumphs, and failures -- illuminated by the Light and Truth of our world, the Savior Jesus Christ.
We have the advantage of growing up in this culture in that our generation is the most able to answer this call. However, that requires us to take action -- to know, to use, and to change the media.
In addition to these entries, I will add more pages to include references, news updates, and other information.
As Christians, we are called to read the "signs of the times" and "go and preach to all nations." Now more than ever we have a vast number of means by which we can do this, but (as in every culture of every age) we must be effective communicators and see through the eyes of God. This means being both media literate and entirely detached, knowledgeable of the faith and nonjudgmental of others, defenders of Truth and keepers of the peace.
My purpose is not to condemn media or to command that Jesus' name be preached in every Facebook status or Twitter update. I do, however, intend to hopefully foster a more well-rounded, universal understanding of the media -- its purpose, drawbacks, opportunities, triumphs, and failures -- illuminated by the Light and Truth of our world, the Savior Jesus Christ.
We have the advantage of growing up in this culture in that our generation is the most able to answer this call. However, that requires us to take action -- to know, to use, and to change the media.
In addition to these entries, I will add more pages to include references, news updates, and other information.
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