Getting Caught Up in the Web!

J.M.J
The World Wide Web, as we call it, offers a plethora of vast knowledge accessible instantaneously. We can access information in the blink of an eye and send email or text messages to family, friends, and strangers alike with the click of a button. However there can be a great danger when the Internet is used along with the mentality of the world in which we live. When the Internet is not used with the careful awareness of God’s plan for us, the Web becomes something one’s soul could certainly get tangled up into. I am growing increasingly disturbed by the many chain email message I receive in my inbox daily, most from my Catholic friends. I am sure you all know I am referring to the poems, stories, and prayers which usually end with some wish to be granted if you send out the message to 20 people standing on your head in 8 minutes while scratching your nose or else terrible evils will befall you and your family. Now I am not writing this to wag a finger at anyone who passes on these things, but I feel it uncharitable not to write about the fear and confusion which these types of messages breed. One email “prayer” chain letter I received brought great sadness to my heart. It was a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe accompanied by a prayer to have your wish granted. Under her beautiful image were threats of what can happen to the person who does not forward the message to friends and family, including an example of the death of one’s family who did not comply in the time specified. As Catholics and Christians we need to set an example for others, especially our children, what our faith really means to us. Passing on superstitious and malicious messages which detracts from the richness and beauty of our faith and especially our Blessed Mother should never be tolerated. If we do not convey to others through our words and actions how important Jesus and His Church are to us we are robbing them of an opportunity to see the splendor of our faith. It is our job to protect our faith as well as our brothers and sisters who may not understand it. Perhaps others really do not understand how these types of emails attempt to detract from God’s greatness. Perhaps they are fearful of the threats or desperate for the granted wishes in lack of a solid faith. What a wonderful opportunity to serve our Lord through reaching out to those who need us. We so often do not think of how our actions will affect other people. Everything we do or say can affect the life of others in a profound way. The bottom line comes down to this; God does not put attachments onto prayer. If we say a novena we do so in faith and anything else attached to that, such as asking you to pass it on in a specific manner has nothing to do with God. If we pass along a prayer or message it should be out of the charity of our hearts. Really, what is loving about passing on an email to your friend that threatens harm? What are you saying to that person? I can remember two chain letters I received when I was caring for my mother who was battling cancer. I am assuming they came from family or friends who were afraid of the repercussions if they did not send them on. Both specifically threatened imminent death of a close loved one if I did not comply with their distribution. As a Catholic I knew the letters were nothing but garbage however it was very hurtful to know that someone I loved, who obviously believed they were true, would send them to me with a terminally ill parent. So next time you receive one of those chain emails delete it and send your friend back something they can really pass on to others, the richness of our Catholic faith.