April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
Arriving at the Cathedral plaza in Santiago, Spain, was deeply emotional. After making the Camino de Santiago, we had reached our destination.
Already teary-eyed, I heard someone say "Fran? It's Cristina!" Now sobbing, I collapsed into this woman's welcoming arms. Real presence!
I'm an avid user of social media. A significant portion of what I post is Catholic-related. Cristina was, until that moment, someone I barely "knew" via church friends and Facebook.
When I began my pilgrimage, I'd hoped to be Facebook-free, but I had decided to post a photo album once a day, so I did sign on sparingly. Cristina reached out to me that way, offering assistance and welcome, because she lives near Santiago.
I had no idea what Cristina looked like, because she had not posted a photo. Messaging her, I said that we would likely arrive at a certain time and day. Leaving it in God's hands, I was not sure how or even if we would connect. Of course, we did meet, and I am deeply grateful.
Robin Bunnell recently wrote a column in The Evangelist about being technology-free, and it got me thinking. I could not help but picture my meeting with Cristina, along with many other "small-'s' sacrament" meet-ups with which I have been gifted over the years.
I have nothing against the low-tech world. "De gustibus non est disputandum:" In matters of taste, there can be no disputes! I simply suggest the Ignatian idea that God can be found in all things - even on social media, with a smartphone.
Ms. Bunnell and others may not see any virtues to technology in their own lives, and that is OK. However, I suggest that there are gifts to be found.
My story about Cristina is one where God's presence has been richly proclaimed to me, via a smart phone. If I am to believe my digital connections, I'm told that I have proclaimed God online to others who might not necessarily see God as good. That's God's work. I'm just the channel, and I try to let God use me.
I do see worrisome trends of people being more focused on their technology than on the incarnate world. Advent is a powerful reminder of the need for silence; Christmas should call us to experience the power of incarnation.
As Catholics, we know that real presence is everything. There are many times I question technology use; a balanced "digital diet" is vital. Part of that balance is knowing that many people -- Cristina among them -- are now enfleshed in a new way after our meeting, as I imagine that I am for her.
At the camino's end, we had to get to Barcelona. Wouldn't you know it, two young theologians with whom I have unsuccessfully tried to meet in New York and Connecticut were going to be there for a meeting of a Catholic Social Justice non-governmental organization to which they belong. They invited me to attend the group's opening session to hear a diverse group of speakers, including Peruvian theologian Rev. Gustavo Guttierez, OP.
Much of the focus that night was about social justice and bringing Christ to a world centered on individualism. That is a place technology can send us to, as we turn from the very real world. But Christ can be "born" into the digital world, as well. It is a poor place, but His light makes it shine with hope.
Let us try to preach the Gospel at all times, and use technology when necessary.
(Mrs. Szpylczyn is a writer, social media consultant for Clear Faith Publishing, blogger at http://breadhere.wordpress.com and pastoral associate for administration at Immaculate Conception parish in Glenville. She attends St. Edward's parish in Clifton Park.)
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