By Rev. Glenn Jones

(Saturday morning) “Aaugh! The internet is down!! Panic! PANIC!!!”

Such is our dependence on this modern mode of communication. What would it be like, I wonder, if the internet and phones went down for a long period. Perhaps like “Dawn of the Living Dead”, young people especially would wander zombie-ish … thumbs spontaneously twitching by long-acquired habit, desperate to text.

I couldn’t help but laugh recently when a priest friend of mine—a bit of a comic—after frantically searching for, and finally finding, his cellphone, purred Gollum-like: “Myyy preciousssss.” Ah … “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien—considered by many as the greatest literary work of last century, and certainly one of the best film trilogies of this century. My friend was joking, but I couldn’t help but think about the truth of what he and Tolkien may have unwittingly hit upon.

If you know that fantasy story, the great ring was forged by the evil wizard-lord Sauron as a means of controlling all beings—the “One Ring” itself controlling a network of lesser rings which, in turn, controlled the wearers, who themselves controlled their peoples. Kind of apropos analogy for the internet—the “world wide web” becoming the world wide “Ring”, and, as we increasingly witness, controlling the thoughts and actions of the world—whether it be by censorship and misleading stories, advancing agendas, setting supposed “trends” and movements, etc. More nefariously this “Ring”—as in Tolkien’s story—can lead to all sorts of mental and moral enslavement—gambling and pornography being some of the most prevalent in our day.

Many think such activities as harmless, but in ministry I see the immense carnage these wreak within individuals, relationships and families. Like any other addiction, these things seem controllable at first … until they aren’t. And “…whatever overcomes a man, to that he is enslaved.” (2 Peter 2:19) Yes, free speech is an important right … but not all rights are used rightly. Thus, the inscription on the One Ring can often seem so current for our internet age: “One ring to rule them all/one ring to find them/One ring to bring them all/and in the darkness bind them.”

Some persons call the internet a modern “idol”, but it seems to simply ease access TO our modern idols—those mentioned above only the tip of the iceberg. But these “modern” idols are nothing but the age-old idol in modern form: adoration of self.

There’s an old saying that if one has no god to worship, he will worship himself. And aren’t we all guilty of that to some extent—God-fearing or no? In youth we tend to worship our bodies, pursuing greater beauty, greater strength. As we age and such youthful pursuit becomes more arduous (not to mention futile), we focus on personal comfort and prestige. And, at every stage, comfort and pleasure is never far from our motivations.

Thus, Jesus’ admonition to “Love your neighbor as yourself” is really a lot bigger task than we may at first realize … far more involved than simply throwing a coin in the Salvation Army bucket at Christmas. It calls upon us to break from self and seek the good of the other. One does not have to be religious to realize how admirable is such a pursuit.

This is why St. Francis of Assisi is so beloved even by non-Christians, because he—like a plethora of lesser-known saints—lived his dedication to God in devotion to Jesus Christ and in charity to neighbor. Son of a wealthy merchant, he gave up inheritance and possessions to follow Jesus’ teaching wholeheartedly and to serve the needy. St. Elizabeth of Hungary—an even better, if lesser-known, example: the queen who gave away all for succor of the poor. The best known modern example is likely Mother Teresa, who lived in the slum-squalor of Calcutta to aid the sick and the needy.

Is everyone called to this extreme way of life? Probably not, as heroic as it is. After all, someone has to produce the product given. But certainly, all are called to contribute to the common good, though in varied ways. We remember St. Paul: “…there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good…there are many parts, yet one body… But God has so composed the body…that there may be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 20, 24-25)

Yes, we are quite blessed in our nation … especially we up here in Los Alamos—rich even, compared with so many others … reminding us of St. Paul again: “As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches but on God who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous, thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life which is life indeed.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19) So rather than jewelry, perhaps St. Jude’s; rather than the remodel, perhaps Ronald McDonald House … remembering that “Kindness is like a garden of blessings, and almsgiving endures forever.” (Sirach 40:17)