It’s never been easier to ignore our neighbors. The social web offers an almost infinite number of other distractions to steal our time and attention. It offers huge opportunity, too, to be sure. But it also presents a temptation to busily look past the neighbor who may need us most.
We live in a world of digital abstractions—causes and conversations and inboxes and intimacies that can easily make us forget about the warm-blooded, fleshy embodied souls breathing the same air right next to us.
It’s not that those digital abstractions aren’t real or important. They are very real. And they are very important. But they aren’t as direct or present as the closest and more literal neighbors God has placed in your life already. The ones you can reach out and touch, hug, hear and hold. Have you thought about them lately? Have you made them a priority?
“Who is my “neighbor” in this new world? Does the danger exist that we may be less present to those whom we encounter in our everyday life? Is there a risk of being more distracted because our attention is fragmented and absorbed in a world “other” than the one in which we live? Do we have time to reflect critically on our choices and to foster human relationships which are truly deep and lasting? It is important always to remember that virtual contact cannot and must not take the place of direct human contact with people at every level of our lives.” - Pope Benedict XVI, 45th Communications Day
Turn off the computer. Turn off your phone. Turn off the TV. Turn off the radio. Take a deep breath.
Now find your closest neighbor and love them—today.
Comments
Post a Comment
That is so true. I try to be in contact alsmost everyday with someone I talk with in person or on the phone. The computer to me is only for information and some e-mail. I don[t like being on it a lot. Reading too is so important, a lost art in this culture. I read as a child, and still do, even though I am retired. Also church functions are an important part of my life as well as ministry. Thank you for your insight.
I often love my neighbors by holding doors open for them at the store, or at church. I also take walks and pick up empty beverage cans off sidewalks or street gutters in my neighborhood.
Thank you. People think that because we are so connected electronically that no one is alone or isolated and that people have better communication skills but the truth is we are more isolated than ever and communication skills are almost nonexistent. Some people get on my case because I’m not on Facebook but I tell them that I do face time not Facebook. People also make assumptions that people who are ill don’t want to be bothered or that they have enough care. I can tell you from personal experience how lonely, isolated, and bored you get in a hospital or when you are home alone recuperating in an empty house.
I don’t think I’ll turn off my computer or my TV or my phone or my radio. I depend on these electronic marvels to find out where people are suffering and send monetary, spiritual and emotional comfort. Thanks to the Internet, I was able to help out families whose lives were devastated by the rash of horrific tornadoes this Spring—thanks to reading the news online or watching it on TV, I know who to pray for, who to offer sacrifices for, etc. For example, if it wasn’t for my computer, I would NEVER know how much our fellow Catholics are being persecuted and martyred in the Middle East, Africa, China, Asia, etc!
I absolutely need my phone to talk to my dying sister-in-law in another state, to give her encouragement and compassion.
I won’t turn off my radio because I call into our local call-in show frequently to defend the Catholic faith, to proclaim the truth about abortion, to share information about the sanctity of Pope Pius XII, to defend marriage and chastity, etc, etc. I learned from my radio about the organization “Shared Hope International” which rescues girls—and boys from international sex trafficking rings—and needs donations!
And, no, I don’t only “love my neighbor” in Baghdad, and ignore my elderly neighbor across the street. When you ask God to give you His Heart of love for ALL men, He will show you who needs your love and your prayers, no matter where they live!
So anyway- sorry, but my computer, my TV, my radio and my phone are staying on! They’re God’s instruments for us to use to glorify Him and to love our neighbor!
Post a Comment
By submitting this form, you give The National Catholic Register permission to publish this comment. Comments will be published at our discretion, and may be edited for clarity and length. For best formatting, please limit your response to one paragraph and don't hit "enter" to force line breaks.