How much does your phone have control over you? We might not realize it, but the devices we use can have great control over our minds and hearts. In this week’s episode, Dr. Sri uses a prayer from St. Ignatius of Loyola as a roadmap to keep us focused on the world around us instead of the digital world.
Snippet From the Show
We feel the pull to engage with our devices. Why don’t we also feel the pull to engage with God or with those around us?
Shownotes
To read Dr. Sri’s original article entitled “My iPhone, My Precious”, please click here!
Just a Tool in the Toolbox
Can you think of your devices as being merely a tool in the toolbox?
You wouldn’t feel a pull to have your hammer or screwdriver with you all day. Why the pull to have your devices with you all day?
Prayer of St. Ignatius
Take Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
my entire will, all that I have and possess.
Thou hast given all to me.
To Thee, O lord, I return it.
All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will.
Give me Thy love and thy grace,
for this is sufficient for me.
Amen.
“My Entire Will”
What pockets of space in your day can you give to God instead of to your devices?
- Waiting at red lights?
- Waiting in line while running errands?
- Between meetings for work?
- Before bed?
Give to God these spaces. Detach from your devices: attach yourself to him.
“My Understanding”
Do we understand the changes that are happening in our minds and hearts with constant stimulation?
Can we see what’s happening in day-to-day life with these constant distractions?
For more on this:
The Shallows by Nicholas Carr
Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
“My Memory”
In the quiet moments, what do you remember from your day? What rises to the surface?
Stories & Reels on Instagram? Or stories from Scripture and the Saints?
“I Like Corn” is great in moderation…but it won’t fill those spaces in your soul that hunger for more.
Strive for interior freedom. We can use our devices…but we do not want to be used by them.
Resources
- Visit Dr. Sri’s website at www.edwardsri.com and to book online events with Dr. Sri email events.edwardsri@gmail.com
- Find more of Dr. Sri’s episodes at www.ascensionpress.com/allthingscatholic
- Ascension is pleased to offer our new and improved online bible study programs and sacramental preparation programs digitally to help you minister with flexibility. Go to www.ascensionpress.com to view all our offerings
Dr. Edward Sri is a theologian, well-known Catholic speaker, and author of several best-selling books. His work with Ascension includes study programs such as A Biblical Walk Through the Mass, No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk Through Christ’s Passion and Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother. Several of Dr. Sri’s programs were filmed on-site in the Holy Land, and feature immersive video explorations of the sacred sites where Jesus, Mary, and the Apostles lived and died.
Dr. Sri is the host of the acclaimed Ascension podcast All Things Catholic with Dr. Edward Sri. Together with Curtis Martin, Dr. Sri is a founding leader of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), of which he serves as senior vice president of Apostolic Outreach.
Dr. Sri lives with his wife Beth and their children in Colorado.
