Currently, a local restaurant has been offering a ten-percent discount to diners who turn off their cell phones and texting activities during the time they spend at the restaurant. The response of visitors has been positive and they agree it has enhanced their dining experience. Mulling over this interesting concept has caused me to suggest that this season of Lent might be a good time to apply the practice of curbing our over–use of technology that can lead to neglecting those around us.If I am always checking my email messages, might I set this compulsion aside at mealtime to honour those who sit at table with me?
Might I limit my time on my iPod, iPad, iPhone, Internet, TV, etc., to spend more time engaging in face-to-face and heart-to-heart conversation?
If television consumes my evening hours, might I instead visit a lonely person in an apartment or nursing home who would love the pleasure of my company?
If technology has crept into my life, usurping ever larger portions of my time, might I, this Lent, take time to be in silence and allow myself to be called deeper into relationship with the Divine?
Lent is about letting go of those activities that fail to enhance our lives. Limiting our use of technology could lead to positive transformation so that we can grow in our relationship with God and others. Let’s try “turning off and tuning in” for the 40 days of Lent and notice what transpires!
Jean Moylan, CSJ