…from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks – Luke 6:45
This scripture passage is convicting to me. It’s not enough to “watch my mouth” and try to limit my speaking only to what is true, good, and beautiful. I must think about what is true, good, and beautiful first. Even before that, this makes me realize that the types of things that I “plant” in my mind will bear fruit in my thoughts, words, and actions, be it good fruit or rotten (see Luke 6:43).
The saying goes, “you are what you eat.” I think these days the saying should be changed to, “you are what you consume.” We live in a time of information overload. It can be a major source of stress. Think about all the ways that you’ve consumed information over the last couple of days. A few Tweets, television, this Scripture reflection, a YouTube or TikTok video (or 3), a news source (or 7), a website (or 20), an email (or 75!) a podcast, a novel, a few Facebook posts, spiritual reading, music on the radio or streaming online, doom-scrolling Reddit, a homily, gossip from an acquaintance, a movie, the Bible, encouragement from a friend, wisdom from your spouse. I imagine that for most people, the list is long.
Sriach 27:6 reads, “The fruit of a tree shows the care it has had; so too does one’s speech disclose the bent of one’s mind.” This admonishes me to closely consider the seeds that I “plant” in my mind. Does the media I consume correspond with my beliefs? Do my words show that I carefully tend the garden of my mind by nourishing it with what is true, good, and beautiful?
This might be a good thing to examine as Lent approaches. What information do I consume? Am I moderate in the amount I consume, or could I use a media fast one day a week to show me just how much I fill silence with the noise of the world? Maybe I’ll turn my phone and computer off on Sundays. Perhaps it’s time for some spring cleaning…
Lord, help me to plant only what is true, good, and beautiful in my mind so that it bears good fruit for Your glory. Help me use Lent as a time to let go of information overload.
“…when media and the digital world become omnipresent, their influence can stop people from learning how to live wisely, to think deeply and to love generously. In this context, the great sages of the past run the risk of going unheard amid the noise and distractions of an information overload.”
Pope Francis, Laudato Si, 47