Temptation in the Age of the Smartphone

"Do what you can, pray for what you cannot...if your smartphone causes you to sin, get a dumbphone." - Fr. Anthony Saroki, Homily, 2/16/20

As we enter into Lent, my thoughts have, naturally turned to what fasting and sacrifice I should practice in Lent. In this time, on a visit to San Diego for Presidents Day weekend, I heard Fr. Anthony's homily. That put the bug in the ear of limiting or ending my usage of my smartphone for Lent.

I have had an iPhone (like many people) since around 2010 - it aids me in my work, in my life, in my interactions and connections with others. It also takes up way too big a role in my life. It is the constant source of entertainment when I am bored. And boredom can be a good thing!

However, idleness is the devil's playground.

As related in the story of David and Bathsheba, David does what he is not supposed to do, he is idle when: "At the turn of the year, the time when kings go to war, David sent out Joab along with his officers and all Israel, and they laid waste the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. David himself remained in Jerusalem. One evening David rose from his bed and strolled about on the roof of the king’s house. From the roof he saw a woman bathing; she was very beautiful."

As Fr. Nathan said on the Catholic Stuff You Should Know Podcast, "men today don't stroll when bored, they scroll."

Rather than be a king and lead his men, David remains in Jerusalem and thus is tempted and falls to sin, eventually committing murder by proxy.

Rather than pray or read or spend time with my family, all to often I turn to my phone, neglecting my own role as father and husband for the quick temptations of social media, games, et al.

The idea of limiting usage is scaring me - which of course means I need to do it all the more.