We do have to use screens, but I believe what you wrote supports my intuition that we should not use them in Church. I think the medium contradicts the message, so to speak. For one thing, the screen can be used for other, profane things, whereas a book (missal) is dedicated to the sacred use alone. Thoughts on this?
I insist without hesitation that screens should not be used in church or even for formal prayer inside the home. Interestingly, though, a full and rigorous justification for this position is quite involved and would require a discussion closer in length to a book than to an article. And in fact I have wanted to write that book, but it's really hard to find the time.
Totally agree. The screen allows a flood of disparate images of astonishing variety, and I think the use of them makes our minds subconsciously associate itself with all of them. Paper printed in a missal is clean, one~pointed, and unequivocal!
In general I think this is true but I also think we need to be careful about making absolute statements. There are times when using screens might be necessary such as praying with a prayer book or devotional that is only available electronically or when carrying a breviary isn’t possible or practical. They are large, bulky, and weighty. I sometimes use a screen for prayer or spiritual reading because my phone is always in my pocket and I can take advantage of any free moment when making a quick visit or while on the train. While I prefer a physical book there’s something to be said for using the tools we have available to us. Just my 2 cents.
I'm perfectly willing to grant that there are exceptions, especially when one is travelling. And for me, spiritual reading is in a different category; my life as a professional writer and academic requires me to take fairly elaborate notes on almost everything that I read, and note-taking is far more efficient when I can read the text on a screen. I would also agree that absolute statements are increasingly difficult to maintain—the circumstances of modern life are more complex and oppressive by the day, and we're all trying to cope any way we can.
I loved that reply by Anaxagoras that you quoted. It reminded me of Dante's majestic conclusion to the Divine Comedy. In other words, Anaxagoras prefigured the awe and reverence we should have in contemplating God's creation, and which the Psalmist sings of so beautifully.
As to concentrating on the tasks of the day and consecrating them - that is the secret of the Saints. Not to fret about tomorrow or the state of the world, but simply to do what God asks today...
Coincidentally, the recessional hymn at Mass this morning was 'Lord for tomorrow and its needs/ I do not pray/ keep me my God from stain of sin/ just for today.'
Yes, his reply is definitely reminiscent of Dante. As we find so often with the ancient Greeks, though they didn't have knowledge of the true God as the Hebrews did, their singular wisdom was a powerful preparation and foundation for that knowledge.
In the Church Fathers the verb "θεωρεῖν" also means to interpret allegorically the Holy Scripture (e.g. Eusebius of Caesarea). In classical Latin it can be rendered, sometimes, even with "intueri" that emphasize the ability to observe reality in depth (e.g. Cicero).
Beautiful.
We do have to use screens, but I believe what you wrote supports my intuition that we should not use them in Church. I think the medium contradicts the message, so to speak. For one thing, the screen can be used for other, profane things, whereas a book (missal) is dedicated to the sacred use alone. Thoughts on this?
I insist without hesitation that screens should not be used in church or even for formal prayer inside the home. Interestingly, though, a full and rigorous justification for this position is quite involved and would require a discussion closer in length to a book than to an article. And in fact I have wanted to write that book, but it's really hard to find the time.
Totally agree. The screen allows a flood of disparate images of astonishing variety, and I think the use of them makes our minds subconsciously associate itself with all of them. Paper printed in a missal is clean, one~pointed, and unequivocal!
In general I think this is true but I also think we need to be careful about making absolute statements. There are times when using screens might be necessary such as praying with a prayer book or devotional that is only available electronically or when carrying a breviary isn’t possible or practical. They are large, bulky, and weighty. I sometimes use a screen for prayer or spiritual reading because my phone is always in my pocket and I can take advantage of any free moment when making a quick visit or while on the train. While I prefer a physical book there’s something to be said for using the tools we have available to us. Just my 2 cents.
I'm perfectly willing to grant that there are exceptions, especially when one is travelling. And for me, spiritual reading is in a different category; my life as a professional writer and academic requires me to take fairly elaborate notes on almost everything that I read, and note-taking is far more efficient when I can read the text on a screen. I would also agree that absolute statements are increasingly difficult to maintain—the circumstances of modern life are more complex and oppressive by the day, and we're all trying to cope any way we can.
I loved that reply by Anaxagoras that you quoted. It reminded me of Dante's majestic conclusion to the Divine Comedy. In other words, Anaxagoras prefigured the awe and reverence we should have in contemplating God's creation, and which the Psalmist sings of so beautifully.
As to concentrating on the tasks of the day and consecrating them - that is the secret of the Saints. Not to fret about tomorrow or the state of the world, but simply to do what God asks today...
Coincidentally, the recessional hymn at Mass this morning was 'Lord for tomorrow and its needs/ I do not pray/ keep me my God from stain of sin/ just for today.'
Yes, his reply is definitely reminiscent of Dante. As we find so often with the ancient Greeks, though they didn't have knowledge of the true God as the Hebrews did, their singular wisdom was a powerful preparation and foundation for that knowledge.
I think that this article will help me focus on nature more when I take my walks! Thank you!!
In the Church Fathers the verb "θεωρεῖν" also means to interpret allegorically the Holy Scripture (e.g. Eusebius of Caesarea). In classical Latin it can be rendered, sometimes, even with "intueri" that emphasize the ability to observe reality in depth (e.g. Cicero).
Thank you for these additional insights, Daniele!
Wonderful and deeply thought-provoking, Robert. Thank you for this post! I had never heard of Anaxagoras, and I’m enriched today…
I'm so glad this post brought some light into your day, Shannon!
The depth of these comments relative to the medium/mediation of this 'thing' in my hands makes me want to read Marshall McLuhan again.
"...saw the highest good in the doing of a thing, as His Father wanted it to be done—apart altogether from consequences."
Thank you, I really needed to hear this, and embrace it in my own life.
You're welcome—there's a powerful message here, to be sure, and I'm happy to know that it struck a chord in your life.
What a wonderful essay to read and contemplate on this Sunday morning. Brought so many things into focus for me. Thank you so much Professor Keim!
You're very welcome, and thank you for taking the time to write this kind comment!