1 John 2:12-17
Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever.
As we approach the New Year, I think of decades past when the "cyber world" did not exist. Life appeared way less complicated.
Families congregated around the dining room table, enjoying conversation and a good meal together. No such thing as cellular phones, video games or online streaming to distract old fashion togetherness. People wrote each other hand-written letters; today the impersonal email and text message replace the postman. Men still cherished the normal everyday woman; however, the ever growing pornography addiction has robbed the true sense of beauty. Women as they rise to the top of their career ladders, often becoming more successful than their male peers, understand loneliness. Will they ever meet men who are just as successful and want to raise a family as a married couple?
To me, a less complicated world is perceived as a more naive world. Complexity allows us to grow in experience, wisdom, and prudent judgement. However, with this complexity comes along social problems. We no longer have Jesus walking around healing the sick, the blind, the lame, and the crippled. We now rely on high tech machines and costly pharmaceuticals to do the curing. Furthermore, we no longer live in a country where worshiping God is encouraged; in fact, having religious faith is seen as a "naive" practice. Why all the focus on strong moral values? Don't we live in the 21st century where everyone is "open minded" and free to do what they want, when they want and how they want?
We live in a cyber world full of delights and pleasures. Yet, with all of the social "fun" surrounding the Internet and our electronic whims we lose the meaning of life. We are meant to help one another, not use people for our own personal gains. All of this non-stop entertainment makes me wonder what our "cyber world" will be like 20-30-40 years from now. Will people stop going to a brick and mortar church? Will there be mega "Internet" churches spreading all across the globe where people just text and sing to one another through websites? Will the Eucharist still be the center of our Catholic faith or will it be replaced by some kind of pseudo-communion only offered through the Internet? I know: Sounds absolutely ridiculous. But, it something we should think about.....Most unsettling of all...Will we be able to preserve our Catholic traditions forever?
Now, in the same style as author of the 1st Letter of John.....
I write to you, Cyber World,
because of your enticing thrills.
I write to you, Cyber World,
because your entertainment cannot compromise the Truth.
I write to you, Cyber World,
because I believe in Christ Jesus.
I write you you, Cyber World,
because Faith, Hope, and Love will never go away.
-J.
As we approach the New Year, I think of decades past when the "cyber world" did not exist. Life appeared way less complicated.
Families congregated around the dining room table, enjoying conversation and a good meal together. No such thing as cellular phones, video games or online streaming to distract old fashion togetherness. People wrote each other hand-written letters; today the impersonal email and text message replace the postman. Men still cherished the normal everyday woman; however, the ever growing pornography addiction has robbed the true sense of beauty. Women as they rise to the top of their career ladders, often becoming more successful than their male peers, understand loneliness. Will they ever meet men who are just as successful and want to raise a family as a married couple?
To me, a less complicated world is perceived as a more naive world. Complexity allows us to grow in experience, wisdom, and prudent judgement. However, with this complexity comes along social problems. We no longer have Jesus walking around healing the sick, the blind, the lame, and the crippled. We now rely on high tech machines and costly pharmaceuticals to do the curing. Furthermore, we no longer live in a country where worshiping God is encouraged; in fact, having religious faith is seen as a "naive" practice. Why all the focus on strong moral values? Don't we live in the 21st century where everyone is "open minded" and free to do what they want, when they want and how they want?
We live in a cyber world full of delights and pleasures. Yet, with all of the social "fun" surrounding the Internet and our electronic whims we lose the meaning of life. We are meant to help one another, not use people for our own personal gains. All of this non-stop entertainment makes me wonder what our "cyber world" will be like 20-30-40 years from now. Will people stop going to a brick and mortar church? Will there be mega "Internet" churches spreading all across the globe where people just text and sing to one another through websites? Will the Eucharist still be the center of our Catholic faith or will it be replaced by some kind of pseudo-communion only offered through the Internet? I know: Sounds absolutely ridiculous. But, it something we should think about.....Most unsettling of all...Will we be able to preserve our Catholic traditions forever?
Now, in the same style as author of the 1st Letter of John.....
I write to you, Cyber World,
because of your enticing thrills.
I write to you, Cyber World,
because your entertainment cannot compromise the Truth.
I write to you, Cyber World,
because I believe in Christ Jesus.
I write you you, Cyber World,
because Faith, Hope, and Love will never go away.
-J.
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