Often times we (this columnist included) go into a merciless media bashing (whether done publicly or not) because of what the media feed us. We cannot ignore the fact that media tend to sensationalize news, are more inclined to glorify what is scandalous and gory and sometimes (or is it most of the time?) distort the truth because that what sells. But this is only one aspect of reality. The other aspect is that there are people who subscribe to this kind of media sensationalism. These are the users, the consumers, you and I.
Media in itself are neither good nor bad. What makes it so is the person who uses it. As one of our sisters would succinctly say: “Media in itself do not evangelize. It is the person who uses the media who evangelizes.” All of us are aware of the fact that media have a tremendous effect on our lives, whether it is economic, political, social psychological, spiritual. This knowledge is supposed to bring us to develop a critical attitude in the use of media in our day to day life. I think I have mentioned this critical attitude in this column so many times already in the past. But it is important to stress this every now and then so as not to forget that as media recipients we have our own share of responsibility to do to improve the situation of media in our country.
I mentioned above that media touch every aspect of our life including the spiritual. There is the tendency among us to become superficial in the use of media. We look for entertainment and oftentimes we just stop there. However, a critical or discerning attitude in the use of media can lead us to the experience of the Divine. Let me share with you this observation of Damian Lundy (The Beginnings of Prayer, The Way, Vol. 23, No. 4) on Sheila Cassidy in 1983:
Sheila Cassidy, headline news after her experience of imprisonment
and torture in Chile, has shown how I can pray through newspaper
headlines or through the television news, as I watch it reflectively,
making the appropriate response to God in these situations – anxiety,
concern, gratitude, intercession.
Indeed we encounter in the daily news various stories of people who have been touched by God whether these people are aware of it or not. Reading or hearing these stories somehow make us also experience the same divine presence.
We come face to face with the reality of suffering, violence, poverty, injustice, which the news report to us daily whether in the papers, radio or television. How do we react to such news? Indifference? Indignation? Anger? Does our reaction lead us to prayer? As James McDonnell (Christian Discernment in a Mass Mediated Culture) observes: “Our media experience (should) enrich and feed into our life and prayer.”
We, in a way, are also makers of news as well as hearers. Our news may not reach the headlines as celebrities (or notorious people do) but it can touch people around us and (maybe without us knowing it) brings changes in people’s lives.
Let me end this reflection with an excerpt of media prayer I read somewhere.
“Lord, I believe that you will guide me in my appreciation of the media.
Where I see goodness, show me how to acclaim it.
Where goodness is lacking,
Show me how to ask questions of those in charge.
I remember that I am ‘society’,
I help shape the media and I am accountable.
All goodness comes from you, Lord,
But the choice for good is mine.”
Sunday, January 31, 1999
Sunday, January 17, 1999
The Art of Slowing Down
In this era of modern technology, of Internet and virtual reality, the word “slow” seems to be getting out of place.
Ours is a generation where everyone and everybody appear to be always on the run. Yeah, running to meet an appointment or beat the deadline. A few days ago, I was in a hurry to make it on time with my physiotherapist but I got to her place an hour late. (Talk to me of punctuality!) The reason: I also got tied up with some pressing matters in the convent so I was not able to leave on time. As expected, she was no longer around when I got there. She also left to meet another appointment. (Of course, I would have done the same had I been in her shoes.) You see, we become experts on this so much so that eventually it becomes a way of life for us. For those who have been born and bred to this fast paced way of life, they find it difficult to understand how others can move slowly, taking their time in everything they do, as if they have all the time in the world.
My personal experience teaches me that going about slowly (but reflectively) is an art that should be learned and mastered especially at this time of technological explosion. Modern technology especially computers and Internet have so many positive uses and contributed immensely in making our 20th century lifestyle so efficient. By next century perhaps, what we now consider fast will be regarded as slow and obsolete. On the other hand however, technological efficiency has also affected some people’s attitude towards others who are less efficient and slow moving. Even relationship is affected. For instance, I know of people who have more time to spend with their computers than with their companions at home.
I must confess that I belong to this breed of “instant babies” whom are products of this computer generation where efficiency and fast paced kind of lifestyle are part and parcel of. This is precisely why at the start of 1999 and at the eve of the third millenium I am suddenly jolted into reality of what is happening into my life.
Yeah, I think going about slowly is an art that has to be mastered and enjoyed (at least by me). I came across of a beautiful prayer by Richard Cardinal Cushing of which I am quoting in full. This is an old prayer but the message is very timely.
Slow me down, Lord.
Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind.
Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time.
Give me, amid the confusion of the day, the calmness of the everlasting hills.
Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music
of the singing streams that live in my memory.
Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep.
Teach me the art of taking minute vacations –
of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend,
to pat a dog, to read a few lines from a good book.
Remind me each day of the fable of the hare and the tortoise,
That I may know that the race is not always to the swift –
That there is more to life than increasing its speed.
Let me look upward into the branches of the towering oak and know
That it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well.
Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil
of life’s enduring values that I may grow toward the stars
of my greater destiny.
I wish the same prayer for you dear readers.
Ours is a generation where everyone and everybody appear to be always on the run. Yeah, running to meet an appointment or beat the deadline. A few days ago, I was in a hurry to make it on time with my physiotherapist but I got to her place an hour late. (Talk to me of punctuality!) The reason: I also got tied up with some pressing matters in the convent so I was not able to leave on time. As expected, she was no longer around when I got there. She also left to meet another appointment. (Of course, I would have done the same had I been in her shoes.) You see, we become experts on this so much so that eventually it becomes a way of life for us. For those who have been born and bred to this fast paced way of life, they find it difficult to understand how others can move slowly, taking their time in everything they do, as if they have all the time in the world.
My personal experience teaches me that going about slowly (but reflectively) is an art that should be learned and mastered especially at this time of technological explosion. Modern technology especially computers and Internet have so many positive uses and contributed immensely in making our 20th century lifestyle so efficient. By next century perhaps, what we now consider fast will be regarded as slow and obsolete. On the other hand however, technological efficiency has also affected some people’s attitude towards others who are less efficient and slow moving. Even relationship is affected. For instance, I know of people who have more time to spend with their computers than with their companions at home.
I must confess that I belong to this breed of “instant babies” whom are products of this computer generation where efficiency and fast paced kind of lifestyle are part and parcel of. This is precisely why at the start of 1999 and at the eve of the third millenium I am suddenly jolted into reality of what is happening into my life.
Yeah, I think going about slowly is an art that has to be mastered and enjoyed (at least by me). I came across of a beautiful prayer by Richard Cardinal Cushing of which I am quoting in full. This is an old prayer but the message is very timely.
Slow me down, Lord.
Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind.
Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time.
Give me, amid the confusion of the day, the calmness of the everlasting hills.
Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music
of the singing streams that live in my memory.
Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep.
Teach me the art of taking minute vacations –
of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend,
to pat a dog, to read a few lines from a good book.
Remind me each day of the fable of the hare and the tortoise,
That I may know that the race is not always to the swift –
That there is more to life than increasing its speed.
Let me look upward into the branches of the towering oak and know
That it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well.
Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil
of life’s enduring values that I may grow toward the stars
of my greater destiny.
I wish the same prayer for you dear readers.
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