The conquering Romans built vast networks of roads to and from the lands they conquered. They used these roads to move in their occupying armies and to move out the wealth they looted from these countries. These roads were not bad in themselves, it was the purposes for which the Romans used them that was bad.
It was on these same roads we find Paul and Barnabas and the many other evangelist to follow, bring the Gospel to these same peoples. The very roads that were used for evil purposes are now being used for good, to bring a knowledge of God's plan of salvation.
Today the highway network that spans the world we call the "Information Highway." Some internet facts:
- There are 3.26 billion internet users as at December
2015; that’s over 40% of the world population.
- By 2017, there will be more internet traffic than all
prior internet years combined
- 2.9 billion Google searches are made every day.
- Google is the #1 most popular website in the world,
followed by Facebook and YouTube.
- (for more information = > > > LINK < < <
Like the Roman roads of old, the "Information Highway" is there for anyone to used. The question we need to ask is, "who's feed is feeding us?"
As a resource for our faith, the internet can be useful if it is used wisely. The Church uses it as an instrument of evangelization; the Vatican, dioceses, parishes, Catholic religious community's all use the internet. Some of these are linked here on this blog. In addition to these, there are numerous personal sites that individuals have created dealing with Catholic interests. But there are sites among these that can have a negative impact; sites who's information is in direct conflict with authentic Catholic belief and practice.
The goal for this blog is to provide resources that can be useful to one's personal prayer practice. Because of the sheer volume of sites available, one needs to avoid having their time swallowed up by "information overload".
To help with this challenge may I offer these suggestions:
- Create a priority list of links to sites that have a direct affinity with the direction in which your prayer is being inspired.
- Include a site that has scripture resources like daily Mass readings.
- Look for sites focused on prayer. i.e. Jesuit site.
- Link to your parish, diocese, bishops conference, Vatican.
- Downloading eBooks on prayer to use as a study resource (especially useful for commuters)
- This "highway" is for getting there, not sightseeing, evaluate carefully your driving-thumb habits.
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