How do you regard your relationships today? - Daily Reflections October 9,2014

WHAT’S ON YOUR FACEBOOK STATUS?   The world of social networking has redefined relationships to a marked degree. The word “friend” has taken on a whole new meaning. It doesn’t take much now to become a friend to someone you have not even met in person.        Knocking on doors, too, has gone out of fashion, as is sending greeting cards. All people do now is send a text, or send a BBM or a PM, depending on what smartphone one has. Even the term “mass communication” has become simply social communication, where connectivity is essential while relationality is optional.        In this scheme of things, the “face-to-face,” personal, and intimate nature of communication has gone the way of the avatar: real but not quite; individual but not personal; known somewhat but not known in a real mutually engaging way. One hides as much as one reveals. Connected 24/7 but never attached. Involved but never fully engaged. Related but never truly attuned.        So how does one solve the problem of a lack of resources for unexpected guests? Simple! There’s 7-Eleven and the all-nighter delivery. No need to bother an unwilling and uncooperative neighbor, who does not really appreciate receiving a “missed call” in the wee hours of the morning. But such is the real problem behind the times we live in. Relationships have been replaced by “circles,” by “groups” and “pages.” Intimate communications have been supplanted, too, by “shoutouts.” And in such a state of affairs, being connected 24/7 has all but written off the need for attachment and attunement.        But prayer, the persistent type spoken of today in the Gospel passage, has to do with both. It is being related to God personally, truly and fully. It means being engaged, involved, attuned and attached. It means you know and love your child enough to give a fish and not a snake; an egg, and not a scorpion, all because your wall is emblazoned all over with love.        Hesitate not to post love on your wall today! Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB   REFLECTION QUESTION: How do you regard your relationships today?   Dear Lord, thank You for loving me. May I learn to love others as much as I love myself. Grant me a heart that’s sensitive to their needs.