The Digital world is noisy, and 24 hours surrounds us. The all encompassing nature of the digital world is contained mostly in the mobile phone – the device that most of us switch on first thing in the morning, and also it is the last thing we look at night before going to bed.
We are being prompted to respond always – to the Whatsapp messages, social media , emails, texts and even calls. There is often no time for reflection before responding, as the response seems to be required almost immediately
Many times, responding in this immediate manner is not the right one. And once words leave us, either spoken or digitally, they can have lasting consequences on the recipients, sometimes bridges can be broken forever. I have personally experienced this , and am often chastised by speaking or responding without knowing the full facts.
In this backdrop it is certainly pertinent to note what Mother Mary did when she received the news from Angel Gabriel that she was to bear the Saviour and all the experiences leading up to and surrounding the birth of Baby Jesus. The Scriptures say:
But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart (Lk 2:19).
She pondered over the words in her heart. What a big challenge it must have been to keep what was told to her internally . She thought the matters over, prayed and only then told Joseph at the right moment . The right things happened from then on as per the Divine plan.
This is a blueprint for good communications. Do not react or respond immediately in any situation. Think over and pray over the matter, then only respond.
We have some direction from the Holy Father too in this regard on the occasion of the 60th World day of Social Communications 2026
We need faces and voices to speak for people again. We need to cherish the gift of communication as the deepest truth of humanity, to which all technological innovation should also be oriented.
We need to have a human response even in the digital world. We have to understand the sentiments behind the words that come to us digitally. It is not easy when the human emotions don’t accompany the words, but we must try and discern them.
Sometimes no response itself is the best response. I have experienced this many times with my children when they mentioned something in our Whatsapp group. They are not really looking for a response from me, but just wanting to keep me informed about a particular situation. My ( often) knee jerk response is not what they want.
There are two Catholic Saints that we can call upon for assistance as we seek the right use and response to digital technology:
Saint Isidore of Seville, a seventh century saint was named patron saint of the internet, because his writing style is similar to that of database structures. His magnum opus, Etymologiae, was considered an early encyclopedia that attempted to compile all known knowledge. He tirelessly worked to bring peace and unity amongst Christians in the region.
Saint Carlos Acutis, the Millennial Saint, used technology with discretion even at a young age ( setting an hourly daily limit for social media usage for example), and also used technology to highlight Eucharistic miracles worldwide by setting up a website.
I think these two Saints show us positive examples on utilising digital technology as a Christian, in the backdrop of Mother Mary’s approach of pondering over matters in her heart.
We can use technology in moderation, respond with restraint and control after prayer, build unity and also evangelise .
As a Catholic writer , it helps me to put in my mind every time I access technology, the words of St Carlos Acutis , “ Not me, but God.”
This helps me to realise, it is not about me but Him, and that will make my responses in the digital world be more like that of Mother Mary.
Measured and only after thinking over the matter in detail.
This would result in a better outcome for all as per His plan.
Help me Lord to curb my natural instinct to react immediately to any digital stimuli, and only give a measured response after praying over and considering all the options. Help me Mother Mary to emulate you in this regard. Amen.
