Selfie Stick Christianity

The days of asking someone to take your picture in front of a monument or scenic attraction are over. We can now do it on our own with a selfie stick. Isn’t life grand? If your picture is awesome you can even enter the “Selfie Olympics” on Twitterverse. The possibilities are endless.

What does the constantly changing technology say about us a society? Does it say we are getting smarter and more creative? It probably says that and a whole lot more. As I look at what is posted on social media it leads me to believe we may also be a little narcissistic. As a child I repeatedly heard adults say, “Don’t brag.” We were admonished to be grateful for our skills and talents but not to boast. I can only imagine how that generation would view the current obsession with “selfies” as we repeatedly share photos that say, “Look at me now!”

What does this trend mean for our Christian pilgrimage? Does the focus on self completely usurp our focus on Christ, or is all of this simply a matter of enjoying life and capturing the memories with photos? There will need to be some soul searching and an examination of conscience to look at the interior dispositions as to why we do the things we do. Our motivations may be pure and healthy and we are blessed to have the technology to capture the moment. On the other hand, the motivations could be less than stellar and we are challenged to grow.

Love God. Love neighbor. These are two simple commandments which pack a lot of punch. However, simple does not necessarily mean easy to live out. I would propose that we take a moment to place the Beatitudes and Corporal Works of Mercy into the context of “selfie sticks.”

The text of St. Matthew indicates the following:

• Blessed are the poor in spirit
• Blessed are they who mourn
• Blessed are the meek
• Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness
• Blessed are the merciful
• Blessed are the clean of heart
• Blessed are the peacemakers
• Blessed are they that suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness

Which one of these eight statements makes you want to grab your phone, place it on a selfie stick, and grab some self-portraits? Are the statements compatible with the way we are living our lives?

The Corporal Works of Mercy

• Feed the hungry
• Give drink to the thirsty
• Clothe the naked
• Shelter the homeless
• Visit the sick
• Visit the imprisoned
• Bury the dead

Do any of these works of mercy compel you to want to take a selfie? They may. Taking a selfie while visiting the sick may capture a beautiful moment with a loved one. In most cases I am hoping our attention is solely focused on the other. We don’t want to miss the moment because of our preoccupation with the technological gadgets.

Our mandate is to go out to the whole world and tell the Good News. How do we do that if the camera is constantly focused on ourselves?