The Media Man Knows It

* Note: From 2008-2010, I wrote an occasional blog for the Archdiocese of Baltimore's website. This is one of those blog posts. *

Title: The Media Man Knows It

 

            So, here’s an interesting conversation that I had last weekend with one of our school kids down here at St. Johns in Severna Park (names have been changed to protect the innocent…or something like that):

            ME: So, Bobby, what’re you listening to on your iPod?

            BOBBY: Uh…nothing.

            ME: Well, let’s see, you’ve got ear buds in your ears, and it looks like something’s flickering on your iPod screen. Either you’re listening to music, or you’re being brainwashed by your little device. What’re you listening to?

            BOBBY: You wouldn’t know it.

            ME: Try me.

            BOBBY: Uh, it’s a song called “Promiscuity”.

            ME: Really? Interesting. Hmm. Do you think Jesus would listen to that song?

            BOBBY: Well, no.

            ME: And do you want to be like Jesus?

            ~ really long pause ~

            BOBBY: Well, I, uh, I want to get married. So I don’t want to be like Jesus.

 

            One of the strangest conversations I’ve ever had.

 

            Why does Satan know better than we do? Satan knows how important it is to control the media, because when he controls the media, he shapes and forms our souls. The Devil uses his media to put forth his agenda. Why are we Christians lagging behind on this little insight into human nature?

            It becomes more and more clear to me that the battle for our souls can be influenced strongly by what media we choose to indulge in. Is it wholesome, uplifting, leading us closer to Christ? Or do we like it just because it’s “funny” or has a good beat, and it’s really, subtly, destroying our soul from within?

            A weekend before this, I was speaking with another one of our young people who was telling me that he was reading these mystery novels that have graphic sex scenes. But he excused them, saying, “They’re good books anyway.” Well, sure, perhaps they’re interesting and have a good plot, but are they leading us closer to God and to a holy life? If not, are they truly good? If I give you a delicious meal, with only one drop of poison in it, is it truly a good meal? Heck no, you’d get sick. It’s not a good meal at all.

            So, with this particular young man, I’m now finding good books for him to read – this weekend I have some G.K. Chesterton to give him (the Fr. Brown Anthologies), which is uplifting AND good literature.

            So many of our young people are being so led away from Christ because of media that makes sin seem “normal” and “cool”. Christians are portrayed by much popular media as unpopular, dorks, backwards outcasts. I’m becoming more convinced that one of the keys to ministry, and to the salvation of souls, is to provide people with good media.

            My point is that we need to choose wisely what media we enjoy. Music, movies, TV, and books should all point us to the good, the beautiful, and the true – in other words, it should (at least implicitly) help us to understand the depths of our humanity and the great love of God.

            And for those in the media, realize your great dignity! You can influence souls in a way that we priests & seminarians cannot. The media is the great formator of our modern day – it shapes our souls, either for good or ill.

            The Evil One knows the power of the media. Do we have any idea of its ability to influence? If we did, I think we might be a little more selective in what we choose.