Living in a digital age

From the Manse.....

The other day I received a letter addressed to me via Wantage Methodist Church. It was neatly and carefully hand-written on heavy Basildon Bond writing paper, complete with its iconic watermark. It was a joy to receive and a reminder of days gone by when to write in such a way when corresponding with others was the norm.

Most of the communication I receive these days, particularly for work is almost all via email, or if by post, then it is a typed letter. The person who sent me this exquisite hand-written letter explained that they were not on-line and didn't do emails.

A reminder that in this all pervasive digital world in which we now live, there is a real danger of unintentionally isolating, ignoring and disempowering all those who, for whatever reason, are not part of this technological revolution.

A few days later there was a post on Twitter stating that "social media strategist Meredith Gould is so convinced that incarnational presence is already happening virtually that she has revised the famous prayer of St. Teresa of Avila's 'Christ has no body' for our digital age".

"Christ Has No Online Presence but Yours
Christ has no online presence but yours,
No blog, no Facebook page but yours,
Yours are the tweets through which love touches this world,
Yours are the posts through which the Gospel is shared,
Yours are the updates through which hope is revealed.
Christ has no online presence but yours,
No blog, no Facebook page but yours."

St. Teresa of Avila was born 502 years ago and Gould's fresh interpretation and perspective of this most famous of prayers by this Spanish mystic, Roman Catholic saint, Carmelite nun and writer, is a timely reminder of an ancient truth.

For whether we communicate using the latest cutting edge technology, or we use a fountain pen and ink, whether we use Skype or Face Time to see and speak to others all around the world, or we simply have face to face conversation with those we meet, the way that we interact with others reflects upon the one we call Lord.

Ever since the ascension, it is our hands, feet, voices, words, deeds and actions that are to be His in the world, so that all may know and see. So as our pens and keyboards are used to communicate our thoughts and feelings, may they help us to ensure that what we write and say, reflect well upon the one who is the living Word.

With love and God Bless,

Keith