Friday, the Fifth Week of Lent

   We live in a quick-fix society.  We want things done right now.  Delays are considered failures.  This attitude can be a hinderance to obtaining anything of real value.  Many things in life can’t be fixed quickly; they require thought and planning.  Relationships can’t be established, maintained, or fixed quickly.  They require time and personal involvement.  This is true whether the relationship is with God or family and friends.

   In recent years we’ve seen the explosion of smart phones and tablets.  You can make calls, send messages, check email, even watch movies and live sports right in the palm of your hand.  While this is a great benefit in many ways it can also hamper our personal relationship with others.

   Look around the next time you are in a restaurant and you will easily see how this phenomenon has virtually taken over our lives.  You may see a husband and wife with maybe a couple of children sitting in a booth waiting for their meal.  A perfect opportunity to share the day’s experiences and interact as a family.  Sadly, it’s just as likely that they are all involved with their smart phone or tablet and paying no attention at all to the most important people in their lives.  Some things can’t be done via email or text, they take actual person to person experiences.  Love is one of those things.  Whether it be love of each other or love of God an email or text won’t suffice.

   Could God have offered salvation to us via Facebook or email?  I suppose it’s possible, after all He is God.  But doesn’t that sound absolutely absurd?  It does to me.  Yet these are the ways we relate to others these days.  How many times have you exchanged texts or emails to tell someone you love them?  Wouldn’t it easier and certainly more personal to at least call and speak to them?  How many times have you offered condolences or prayers via a text?  Wouldn’t a quick visit or even a phone call be much more comforting?

   I fear that we are destroying our ability to personally relate to each other.  We do it less and less these days.  Those skills that we don’t practice often fade away entirely.  Imagine a society where there is no personal interaction, only digital communication with others.  How long do you think that society can last?

   During Lent we strive to improve our relationship with our God.  The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit don’t have WIFI.  They don’t have the latest smart phone and Siri can’t contact them for you.  To think of talking with God electronically seems a bit ridiculous doesn’t it?  If we need to have a deeply personal relationship with our Lord we have to take the time to get involved with Him and His plan for us.  Maybe we should also put our phones and tablets aside more often to better our relationships with our earthly loved ones as well.  Just a thought.