Obscurity in the New Media Age

from catholicexchange.com

We live in an age of Twitter and blogs, Facebook and texting. Constantly connecting. Always available. Telling all. No experience is complete unless it has been tweeted or put up on a “wall”, blogged or texted. Life is not lived unless it is shared with thousands of online and often unknown readers. Much time is given to following the lives of others, who are often strangers. A recent email making the rounds depicts how the Christmas Story would have unfolded on Facebook. Is it possible to exist in the 21st century without this onslaught of modern communication?

I hope so. I hold to the words of Luke 2 v 19 “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart”. Some translations say “Mary hid all these things in her heart”. Jesus was born to a poor carpenter and a young girl in a stable in humble Bethlehem. He grew up in obscure Nazareth. He died alone. No courting of public attention. No seeking the limelight. Mary and Joseph led simple, quiet lives. No time wasted on following the business of others. They just did what God called them to do. So why do we feel the need to be constantly networked and “plugged in”?

Much of the need to communicate incessantly stems from isolation in our very busy world. A need for recognition. A need to feel that someone cares about what we are doing and accomplishing. Yet in our desire for connection — we are missing out on really living. On savoring. On hiding the important things in our heart. We forget to reflect. We miss out on real relationships because of the illusion given by the digital ones. We are stressed from being “reachable” at all times.

Technology is not evil. It has many joys and benefits. But in trying to figure out my time spent online I have a list of considerations. Never let online communication replace real life connections. Never waste time – I have a finite number of hours on this earth, and when I am on my deathbed I am sure I will not regret that I did not spend more time on Facebook. Never succumb to the sin of pride which is so easy in the online world. And never ever be so “connected” online that I am disconnected from God and omit to do the work He has called me to do.

My belief is that Mary and Joseph would not have been on Facebook. Simply my view for what it is worth. They were too busy quietly doing the will of God without clamoring for public attention. We can learn from them. In this Digital Age, my family and I choose the road less traveled – I do so hope that it will make all the difference.