Last night was the super bowl. I do enjoy watching this game regardless of who is involved. I may even have one team I hope to see win. Last night after the game while watching the presentation of the trophy, past Super Bowl MVPs bring the trophy though a crowd of players as it processes towards the stage. All the while the players are reaching out to touch or even kiss the trophy. I know they wanted to make it ceremonious, but couldn't help but thinking about how religious of a ceremony it appeared. Can an actual religious ceremony be shared in the same way? Through our televisions? Smart phones?
Given the task of working on "communications" and all that might entail, in a large parish in South Dakota; and given I have no prior experience (do not count me among any experts). But I've been intrigued by Neil Postman's book "Amusing Ourselves to Death". It is a fascinating book and made even more interesting knowing it was written in the 1980's; so Postman has no idea about computers, internet, cell phones, smart phones, social media, etc. But He gives us the pieces to be able to follow the continuing pattern. Postman explains that with each new media, e.g. Television, a certain type of message is best fit for that media. And everything that is then presented on it must conform to that type of message. For example TV has become an entertaining media, therefore everything from the super bowl to the nightly news must be presented in an entertaining fashion, peppy music and quick images to keep the eye entertained. Maybe you already see where this becomes a difficult media in which to share something that is truly a religious experience.
As we currently live in 2019, we can see how the culture has shifted to more constant entertainment. I am guilty myself of spending far to long with my phone in front of my face. So as a Church that wants to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ we of course want to turn to the latest technologies and apps to share that message. To engage people on the very devices that are already there in front of their(my) nose. Sadly though we often find ourselves at the old conundrum, "You can lead a horse to water but can't make him drink". With the phone even more equip to entertain and amuse us, if the message we deliver is not catchy, entertaining or amusing enough, it is quickly forgotten, ignored, or scrolled past onto the new and glamorous. It means that if the Gospel message wants to get through on these media they need to be catchy and entertaining and accepted by the masses. (and/or have a click bait title) It turns it into what is called "The Prosperity gospel". I can tell you Jesus didn't change his message just because it wasn't well liked. Sometimes we need the hard truth to come crashing in, to weigh on our hearts that I have done something wrong, and I must amend my life, as Christ said, "Go and sin no more".
I work in a large parish, and we can suffer from anonymity in numbers,and on the internet exponentially so. As easy as it is to just smash that "Like" button, go on an "ALL CAPS RAGE" or expect the government to somehow fix the problem, we need to go get involved at your parish and community. Attend events that they try to put on for you, give them feed back, help them plan them, step up and lead, or be a worker bee. The Church can't translate into entertainment, though it competes with entertainment, but it can certainly breathe life into you if you engage with it. Every miracle Christ worked required and action of faith. (e.g. Seek Him out, go to the pool and wash, go show yourself to the priest, etc)Take some initiative, in the words of Pope Benedict XVI, "the world offers you comfort, you were not made for comfort you were made for greatness". It is ok if we don't get video footage to make a viral video of serving the homeless guy on the street, we will get so much more than "views" and "likes" if we see and address the problems beyond our screens. We might just touch another's soul. We might have an encounter with another person. An encounter with Christ.
Given the task of working on "communications" and all that might entail, in a large parish in South Dakota; and given I have no prior experience (do not count me among any experts). But I've been intrigued by Neil Postman's book "Amusing Ourselves to Death". It is a fascinating book and made even more interesting knowing it was written in the 1980's; so Postman has no idea about computers, internet, cell phones, smart phones, social media, etc. But He gives us the pieces to be able to follow the continuing pattern. Postman explains that with each new media, e.g. Television, a certain type of message is best fit for that media. And everything that is then presented on it must conform to that type of message. For example TV has become an entertaining media, therefore everything from the super bowl to the nightly news must be presented in an entertaining fashion, peppy music and quick images to keep the eye entertained. Maybe you already see where this becomes a difficult media in which to share something that is truly a religious experience.
As we currently live in 2019, we can see how the culture has shifted to more constant entertainment. I am guilty myself of spending far to long with my phone in front of my face. So as a Church that wants to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ we of course want to turn to the latest technologies and apps to share that message. To engage people on the very devices that are already there in front of their(my) nose. Sadly though we often find ourselves at the old conundrum, "You can lead a horse to water but can't make him drink". With the phone even more equip to entertain and amuse us, if the message we deliver is not catchy, entertaining or amusing enough, it is quickly forgotten, ignored, or scrolled past onto the new and glamorous. It means that if the Gospel message wants to get through on these media they need to be catchy and entertaining and accepted by the masses. (and/or have a click bait title) It turns it into what is called "The Prosperity gospel". I can tell you Jesus didn't change his message just because it wasn't well liked. Sometimes we need the hard truth to come crashing in, to weigh on our hearts that I have done something wrong, and I must amend my life, as Christ said, "Go and sin no more".
I work in a large parish, and we can suffer from anonymity in numbers,and on the internet exponentially so. As easy as it is to just smash that "Like" button, go on an "ALL CAPS RAGE" or expect the government to somehow fix the problem, we need to go get involved at your parish and community. Attend events that they try to put on for you, give them feed back, help them plan them, step up and lead, or be a worker bee. The Church can't translate into entertainment, though it competes with entertainment, but it can certainly breathe life into you if you engage with it. Every miracle Christ worked required and action of faith. (e.g. Seek Him out, go to the pool and wash, go show yourself to the priest, etc)Take some initiative, in the words of Pope Benedict XVI, "the world offers you comfort, you were not made for comfort you were made for greatness". It is ok if we don't get video footage to make a viral video of serving the homeless guy on the street, we will get so much more than "views" and "likes" if we see and address the problems beyond our screens. We might just touch another's soul. We might have an encounter with another person. An encounter with Christ.
Comments
Post a Comment