Many can relate to spending too much time in front of a screen.
In a time and culture where it’s possible — and nearly assumed — that we be “plugged” into digital devices at any time, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge has asked parishioners and clergy to make a radical change to their daily routine for one day this Lent. He is calling for a Diocesan Day of Unplugging March 1.
“We know that one of the sources of our greatest distractions, and sometimes even our anxiety and stress, is our constantly being in front of the screen, and going to all the social media things and the things that so easily, easily distract us,” Bishop Burbidge said in describing the initiative on a recent episode of his “Walk Humbly Podcast.” “It’s meant to say, ‘Let’s be conscious.’ We all acknowledge that we need to spend less time with these worldly distractions and more time with God. So let’s lift up each other in faith and make this commitment.”
Bishop encouraged parishioners to skip scrolling through social media, websites and apps on their phones and other devices. “Except for essential work or essential tools, I’m going to get off all the other things associated with social media and technology. I’m going to free myself from that,” he said.
Using cellphones, laptops, tablets are practical, and perhaps necessary for our livelihood. However, amidst what is essential, there also is the inessential. There is little that the internet cannot serve up. As the saying goes: “Too much of a good thing is too much of a good thing.”
Digital devices often distract and sometimes critically divide us from seeing and serving each other in real life. Even more so, these devices can pull us away from time with the Lord.
Fasting beyond food
Fasting helps us remember our need for God alone. While limiting food intake is the tried-and-true way to leave ourselves hungry for God, there is a litany of ways to fast from other luxuries. Intentionally limiting one luxury, excess screen time or unplugging, might be one the fastest way to find out how hungry we really are.
Pope Francis reminds us we need time to look away from electronic screens and into a different light — the “light in the eyes of others, in one’s own heart, in God’s gaze upon us.” Giving our eyes and minds a reprieve from screens reminds us of our need for God and our Christian duty to one another offline.
In the same way we can be intentional about our food consumption, we can do the same with consuming online content. When am I most likely to engage a phone, computer, or TV over God or my neighbor? What kinds of content am I consuming when I do, and in what amounts? Lent is an excellent time for taking these questions to prayer.
Spiritual benefits of screen fasting
While most cannot abandon screens altogether because of family or work responsibilities, everyone can prayerfully assess what screen time gets in the way of our relationship with God and with one another. Reflecting in prayer on our relationship with technology is a powerful first step to discerning how to best shed excess screen time.
The second step is implementation. Having scheduled times for screen fasting, even if intermittent, yields tremendous benefits. Rediscover the freedom and ability to focus on God by unplugging. What better time to assess and substitute our screen time than this Lent?
Brodeur is diocesan digital and social media manager.
Diocesan Day of Unplugging
Join Bishop Michael F. Burbidge March 1 to fast from excess screen for the Global Day of Unplugging. Go to arlingtondiocese.org/unplug.
