tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post2877621744873205581..comments2024-03-17T22:48:00.427+08:00Comments on Reflections and Ruminations: Practicality, convenience and the faith life.Fr Luke Fonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-46878740870290218892018-05-19T16:36:24.103+08:002018-05-19T16:36:24.103+08:00Thanks Fr Luke for continuing to write even though...Thanks Fr Luke for continuing to write even though you feel that its not practical to do so. its inspiring and i have gain strength in my faith. God BlessAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11093054612818689377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-55821150662837221732018-05-15T23:57:26.409+08:002018-05-15T23:57:26.409+08:00“.…………..practicality has never been and never will...“.…………..practicality has never been and never will be the yardstick and measure of the acts and norms of the faith life that lead us to holiness and eventual sanctification.”<br /><br /><br />I had just downloaded the Universalis App on my smartphone for convenience and maybe that’s why your current post immediately put me in mind of the practicality of mobile apps and faith!<br /><br /><br />On many occasions I have found that having a Bible App on my mobile has been very helpful and convenient, especially when I need to check on a Bible quote. A book version is both heavy and cumbersome to lug around, even in my out-sized hand-bag. So it is undoubtedly more convenient and practical to switch to smartphone apps. The same applies to prayers, Office of Readings and Devotionals……it seems too good to be true. With my fingers on the phone, I can do cross-referencing of Bibles, Commentaries and so much more…….<br />So armed with the convenience of these apps - surely I would grow in wisdom and deepen in my faith? Musing on what you wrote on your Monday blog , the above line, especially, made me reflect further and I found that - this was not really so!<br /><br /><br />Though this easy access to information on Biblical texts is a boon in the hustle-bustle of daily living, the too momentary seconds we spend on just looking up the verse on the mobile - does not enable us to take in the words and savor them, to digest them and so there is a richness, lacking……there is no lingering or reverencing of the Word of God. I feel it is perhaps the reason the Word thus read in haste on the screen does not penetrate deep to the heart and so perhaps,there is no transformation ? There is a difference when holding a book Bible in the hand. Perhaps it answers the human need for sense of touch and closeness and encourages a pondering of the Word, an imperceptible feel of being in God’s presence. And it came to me that using these apps are practical and so convenient but it does nothing to enhance my faith, nor does it bring me any closer to God. I remember once you did ask at a homily - “Are you seeking to know more about God or knowing God more ?”<br /><br /><br />Reading your weekly sharings is becoming more like an adventure as one never knows what can be un-earthed ! Thanks, Fr.<br /><br /><br />Tessa<br /><br />Tessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04211998984286520369noreply@blogger.com