Sunday, March 08, 2009

Sacerdotal tyranny

Since all the folks who might be prone to tease me about this have already had their hearty laugh at my expense, I think I'll go ahead and share with my whole blog readership why I have been missing from the Web for lo, these many days. It was a member of the clergy who made you all suffer the sucking vacuum of my absence. I was grounded from the Internet, from Tuesday until today, by a priest who looked very kindly but proved to be remorseless. Just because I'd confessed to wasting time web-surfing! All right, the web-surfing had caused me to neglect other things. All right, I had also resolved to cut down on the Internet during Lent. But still! "For a penance, let me try to help you keep that resolution," Father told me with pleasant demeanor, and then hit me with: "No internet at all until Sunday." I begged for the use of email, at least, since that's how I make plans with friends, and he allowed it-- for fifteen minutes a day, no more. "That should be plenty of time to make your plans." "Wow," I squeaked, rapidly trying to think of all the things I wouldn't be able to do, "that's hardcore." He didn't budge, but absolved me and sent me on my way with a cheerful, "I know you can do it!"

It was a curious thing: I walked out to my car feeling unusually peaceful. "Thank goodness I won't waste any time on the stupid web today," I was thinking. Till then I hadn't been aware of how much the unsuccessful struggle was wearing on me. Now my weak will was braced with an iron penance, and I felt relieved. I later remembered that right before confession I had actually been praying hard to God for help in that area, so thanks be to Him and be careful what you pray for!

I went on to have a lovely week: got all kinds of chores done, including a few things I'd been putting off for months, and talked more with people and felt more recollected. Also wasted too much time watching TV, as my internet habit sought a substitute-- but at least my screen time was reduced. And except for my friends' blogs I didn't miss the net at all. That probably just goes to show something, but I'm trying not to learn what. :)

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

That explains everything! I had a feeling, but oh well it doesn't matter now. You're BACK! I guess it really does prove how our society has evolved into the NET!

YIKES!

Does that mean we're cyber junkies?
AKA---> Cyber dependent???

Lord help us all!

Joe of St. Thérèse said...

Happy that you enjoyed your mandated vacation from the internet, I missed you, so don't worry.

Mary Rose said...

What a wonderful priest! Although I admit I'm not sure I could do it. Plus, a good part of my job requires me to be on the computer and Internet.

I gave up criticizing Pres. Obama and liberals for Lent. I kinda think giving up the Internet would be easier.

Rachel said...

Meg, my name is Rachel and I'm a webaholic.

Joe, thank you, and that was a quite a Mass we both found ourselves at yesterday! I thought it was good, considering. I'm glad Fr. Robert was willing and able to step in.

Mary Rose, he also made an exception for work. I think it would be a lot easier to slip up on your resolution than on his penance-- who can watch his tongue 24/7?

Heather said...

So *that's* where you've been! Good to have you back. :)

JimAroo said...

I can quit anytime, it doesn't own me I own it...really its true I can walk away....I could quit tomorrow...
well maybe next week...

By the way, which priest was it????
I wouldn't want to burden him with my non addictions.

Rachel said...

HA! I'll never reveal the gimpy priest's identity! You and all my friends will just have to take your chances.

JimAroo said...

I seem to be getting this same message from all over:
http://catholicexchange.com/2009/03/13/116678/

Of course, I only found out about my on line problem on line. Kind of like seeing an AA brochure in a tavern.