Is it not shameful and a great scandal that we…should be running around like blind hens, ignorant of our own self and of the depth within us? The reason is that we are so fragmented, so scattered all over the place. We put great emphasis on what appeals to the senses, on our activities and various projects…to such an extent that we cannot find the way to our inmost ground. — John Tauler
Fragmented and scattered are excellent adjectives to describe the world’s mental state today. John Tauler, a German Dominican priest and theologian, could see this fragmented, scattered life playing out already in his time, the 14th century. Can you imagine what he would think of people today? Between screens and activities, jobs and traveling to and fro, 21st century lives are far more fragmented and scattered than the relatively simple life of Tauler’s time.
As Christians we are not called to follow the world, but to follow Jesus. It is necessary to be intentional about this following, or we will be pulled into the world’s current. We can choose intentionality by forming and following a simple Rule of Life, shaped around prayer and the pursuit of eternal things.
Follow Who?
Rather than taking an intentional perspective on our lives, many people are just trying to keep up with everything required of them, and then somewhat desperately trying to relax through entertainment and amusement via screens and other distractions. Jesus taught us not to follow the world and all its distractions, but to follow Him instead. In each gospel Jesus literally says, “follow me”:
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mt. 4:19)
“Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” (Mt. 8:22)
“Go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Mk. 10:21)
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Lk. 9:23)
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (Jn. 10:27)
In no uncertain terms, Jesus implores us to follow Him. Is this what we are doing with our time, minds, and hearts, as Christians? Or are we allowing our various news feeds to shape and form our opinions and thoughts?
Our Algorithms are Forming Us
If we choose to continue to consume media with no boundaries, our minds and hearts become shaped by our algorithm. No other opinions or viewpoints can enter, least of all the radical viewpoints of Jesus.
We are fed snippets that confirm what we already believe without thoughtfully discerning each situation to determine what is truth, what conforms to the gospel, and whom we should follow. Jesus isn’t the only one saying, “Follow me.” Social media influencers say, “Hit like, and subscribe.” “Follow me!” Doing so yields more of the same content that will mold how we think and what we believe, while closing our eyes to blind spots that only time in prayer with Jesus can reveal.
Like Tauler’s “blind hens,” we run around from outrage to outrage, feeding the algorithm that keeps us safely away from wisdom, contemplation, and deeper union with Our Lord.
Without intentionality, we will be swept into the current of the world’s algorithmic formation. If we desire to follow Jesus, we need the help of a Rule of Life which includes boundaries on our use of technology and time spent on other distractions.
Rule of Life?
The Evangelical Catholic defines a rule of life as, “a set of rhythms and practices we choose to live out in order to make space for our highest priorities, values, relationships, and callings.” It can be as formal as a Rule followed by members of a religious order, or as simple as a one-page outline prayerful written and implemented. The point is to give our lives a framework, a trellis, along which the vines of virtue can grow. This trellis also places limits, immediately exposing the weeds that threaten to take over and destroy the values we are hoping to nurture.
The preeminent Catholic rule, St. Benedict’s, is an enlightening read and an example of a formal Rule. The Benedictines still read a passage from it daily. Catholic Spiritual Direction offers a simple Rule that could be adapted for any level of spiritual activity. Though many Rules do not include them, it is helpful to include limits one intends to place on problematic activities such as the use of social media. Listing the “don’ts” as well as the “do’s” can keep our vines from being overcome by those weeds.
Our own life’s circumstances will produce a Rule that is unique to us. Here is a simple example:
- Prayer with the Daily Mass readings upon rising
- Praying Rosary daily, intertwined with commute, lunch break, or whenever God allows, perhaps concluding at home in the evening
- Attending Daily Mass when possible
- Taking a few quiet moments mid-day to “check in” with God
- Spending 20 minutes with Scripture or other spiritual reading after dinner
- Praying an Ignatian Examen at bedtime
- Limiting social media to 10 minutes per outlet (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) daily
- Limiting general news, entertainment, etc. to 1 hour per day
- Receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation monthly
Living a simple Rule such as this one is not meant to be an 11th commandment, but a literal “ruler” or guide stick to aim for and to continually return to. In doing so, we follow Jesus rather than the fragmented, scattered life of moving from one thing to the next with our phones at the ready to fill any chance of quiet and reflection.
The Consequences of Living Without a Rule
Following that algorithm rather than a Rule can lead to the pitfalls found in echo chambers:
A faithful Catholic is viewing only negative excerpts about things the Pope supposedly said without any context. A few years down the line that faithful Catholic has left the Church.
A faithful Catholic with a heart for the people in a certain demographic is watching what his algorithm feeds and believes some person or groups of persons are hateful towards them, causing his heart to harden towards those persons.
Our algorithms have consequences. Echo chambers lie. Too much time on the internet leaves no desire for the things of God. Simple limits combined with gentle discipline can restore and re-order our valuing God and the things of God over the passing world of outrage and confirmation bias.
The question then is, who are you following? Jesus said, “Follow me.” You need not hit “like” and “subscribe.” Instead, simply turn away from the world’s distractions and towards pursuing Him. There are many fragmented and scattered hens in our world, searching fruitlessly for their “inmost ground.” When we choose to follow Jesus by placing limits on the influences of the world, and by implementing a Rule of Life, Jesus’ light can shine through us for all His people.
Lord, please help us to see the things of this world for what they truly are—passing. Help us to keep our eyes on You, and to follow You. Give us the grace to build a Rule of Life that cuts through the world’s current and draws us nearer to You in our inmost ground, day by day. Amen.
Photo by Berke Citak on Unsplash
