Does Jesus Live Online?
February 28th, 2012I remember just a few years ago at the debut of a book entitled The World is Flat, I was astounded by what the author Thomas Friedman called our ability to Inform. He said that in a very few short years, much of the world would be able to access any conceivable information in a matter of seconds, perhaps even from their smart phones. This was in 2005, and I was very much an unbeliever at the time. Yet now it is 2012, and for over year, I have utilized the luxury of this almost limitless compilation of data which is instantly available on my phone.
If I am in an argument over which quarterback won the 1983’ Superbowl, I just drop the question into a search engine, and immediately Joe Theisman’s name pops up. If I want to know which actress starred in the 1951 musical classic, An American in Paris, Google quickly throws out the name Leslie Caron. With all this instantly available data that can be accessed from anywhere, one could ask the question, “Why do we need to know anything anymore?” Aren’t even questions of faith easily resolved by a quick check of the online catechism?
In fact, there are remarkable new benefits available to people of faith. Not only are we free to quickly go deeper on any question of theology, but also, should our minds or memories fail us, the virtual mind of the internet can always pinch-hit with a surprising accuracy. That being said, this is no time to rest on our laurels. With this opportunity comes the responsibility to grow our minds and hearts. We must deepen the quality of our prayer lives, and come to know not just the facts of faith, but the person behind them. With information so passively available, let us actively recommit ourselves to relationship with the one who loves us best. You might meet Jesus Christ on the internet, but he does not live there. He lives in the hearts and souls of those who know and love him. So take advantage of this and every tool at your disposal that you might hold close to our beloved Lord, Jesus Christ.
Seek the Lord, while he may be found, call him while he is near. Is 55:6
Josh, this is an excellent article.
In another recent blog, from our Family Prayer Matters Group, you called attention to the dangers of the Internet and you termed it an untamed Frontier. That’s a great analogy. You also called it a tool. And I like that. Used properly its a valuable tool to increase our knowledge of and share our faith. Thank you for your example, encouragement, insight and support. Love, your grandfather.
Josh, I’m still fighting progress. My ministry is intertwined with accessing the world-wide web. But, I fight the urge to access information away from ministry, away from work. Yet, it seems everyone around me -including my wife- browses incessantly and it drives me crazy. I’ll join you but at a slower pace.
This is a very interesting distinction. I have found over the past several years more Catholics who have found all this knowledge but seem to be following it in a very strict academic sort of way (and I know I fall prey to this at times). I wonder if this boom in technology is a cause of this almost lifeless practice of the Faith.
Very astute observations, gentlemen.
The internet, like all mediums of communication is itself neither good nor bad. What we do with it can be very good or very bad. Only prayer can enable us to discern whether or not we are using it well. There are so many questions to ask.
Am I spending too much time on-line?
Am I fulfilling the obligations which I make on-line?
Am I utilizing the internet to its potential to assist my ministry as I should?
Am I allowing it to make me lazy instead?
These are good questions, questions it is appropriate to bring up to Jesus in prayer, who, as I have already mentioned, lives inside you. : )
Great stuff Josh. No matter how advanced we get in our society none of it will replace the faith we need to move on in our faith walk. Faith in Christ as our Savior is life-changing. Jesus showed us how to live by loving God and neighbor unconditionally. That same love is given to us freely even though we don’t deserve it. Catholic social teaching instructs us to care for all of creation. Jesus taught us to pray that God’s will would be done on earth as it is in heaven. That will not only require faith, but plenty of action.