We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.
This passage from the Letter to the Hebrews is one of my favorites. These words follow the author’s reflection on the inspiration of Abraham, Moses, prophets and key figures of the Old Testament. This is how we view our relationship with the saints as well – they who have gone before us, inspire and intercede for us. We are, therefore, not alone in our quest for sainthood and eternal life. Like the crowd in the stands cheering on the athletes, the saints seek to inspire us when we place ourselves in their presence.
Significantly important as well are those who are on the playing field with us, our teammates, in the quest for an eternal victory. Like any athlete, even those who participate in individual events, we need coaches, trainers, and peers to assist us to move through this life and help to get us to an eternal reward. Unfortunately, in our time and place, we see a growing number of people living lives of isolation. Often that isolation is compounded by an engagement in the virtual world.
Last week, the Associated Press reported on a study that reviewed more than three hours of interactions between ChatGPT and researchers posing as vulnerable teens. According to the research, ChatGPT will tell 13-year-olds how to get drunk and high, instruct them on how to conceal eating disorders and even compose a heartbreaking suicide letter to their parents if asked. The study showed that the chatbot typically provided warnings against risky activity but went on to deliver startlingly detailed and personalized plans for drug use, calorie-restricted diets or self-injury.
According to the article, in the U.S., more than 70% of teens are turning to AI chatbots for companionship, and half use AI companions regularly. In addition, the report referred to teens who say things like, “I can’t make any decision in my life without telling ChatGPT everything that’s going on. It knows me. It knows my friends. I’m gonna do whatever it says.” A reason for this level of “trust” is that these Chatbots are “fundamentally designed to feel human.” Without doing any research on my own, I can affirm this finding. Recently, in a conversation with a teen, the young person said to me that he had never discussed the issue at hand with another person, only ChatGPT.
Pope Leo XIV has made the issue of artificial intelligence one of significance. At a Roman conference on A.I., he stated that we must consider “the well-being of the human person, not only materially, but also intellectually and spiritually. It means safeguarding the inviolable dignity of each human person and respecting the cultural and spiritual riches and diversity of the world’s peoples.”
We are called, therefore, to pay attention to where technology is cultivating isolation in our lives and the lives of others we care about. Excessive screen time is not just a hazard for the young but a vulnerability we all must be aware of. Now more than ever, we must build bridges and not walls, especially artificial ones. There is no substitute for human interaction.
Think back to the days of quarantine, where baseball games were played in empty stadiums, with cardboard representations of people in the seats and crowd noises played through speakers. That was not an experience of being surrounded by a great crowd of witnesses. Let us strive to use our technology well but avoid the isolation that is not meant for us, created beings made in the image and likeness of God.
FEAST OF SAINT ROSE OF LIMA – We will celebrate our parish’s patronal feast next Saturday, August 23. Following the 5:15 mass, we will enjoy a parking lot party with burgers, hot dogs and family fun. Camps R’ Us will be on hand with an inflatable for children to enjoy as well as information on enrollment for next summer. During the mass, we will bless a special plaque, acknowledging the generosity of those who contributed to the campaign that provided our new church doors. Lastly, this will also be an opportunity for our parish community to welcome Fr. Michael, our new Associate Pastor, and thank Fr. Joe for his 50 summers here at St. Rose. We hope to see you there!
Peace,
