For centuries, priests have faced the challenge of proclaiming hope and love to the world via their weekly homilies and stiven to be means of His presence by means of their physical presence among the faithful. These truths are just as valid today as they ever have been.
However, in an age that is increasingly dependent on technology (which by the way was supposed to make life easier ... a matter which is still up for debate), priests too must find new ways to harness the power of these tools to share the good news with those who otherwise are increasingly absent from many of our traditional venues and avenues.
This morning, the Holy Father issued his Message for the 44th World Communications Day. This year, in view of the fact that we are celebrating a special Year for Priests, His Holiness speaks of the challenges and opportunities provided to priests as a result of the technology that is at our fingertips, and encourages all priests to use these tools whereever possible to enhance their ministry.
Venturing into this world can be scary for some and exciting for others, but to not do so runs the risk of allowing the message to go unheard, and this indeed would be more than a pity since the message of life and love first proclaimed by Jesus himself is needed more than ever in our world today.
Well YOU are ahead of that game, aren't you! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteThis being said, it's certainly a tall order for older priest... and those who come from countries where technology is still very limited... and these two groups constitute the majority, do they not?
The solution: priests may choose to invite the youth of their parishes to help. This could be an opportunity for the Church to make the younger generation feel needed, thus feeling that there is indeed a place for them in the Church.
Just a thought...