By Emily Mendez
Connecting Liturgy and Life
Editor’s note: For 2026, the weekly “Connecting Faith and Life” column has been renamed “Connecting Liturgy and Life.” The column consists of reflections on Part Two of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), which focuses on the Liturgy and the Sacraments.
cf. CCC 1391-1401
It happens quietly, usually not overnight, but in a slow progression over time. A new version here, an upgrade there, and a new way of doing things bring change. Our world and how we live in it is changing.
I felt this recently when our family moved to a rural area, and the water company sent us a contract in the mail to change over our utilities. The contract was on carbon-copy paper, and they included a self-addressed stamped envelope to return it. I felt like I had gone back in time, and, personally, I loved it. It was the simplest thing I did that day; no website that wouldn’t cooperate or endless calls to a customer service robot. Of course, the world has always been changing. Even carbon-copy paper was revolutionary at one time, but the technology-driven change of today seems to be a bit more risky to our very humanity than the changing times of the past.
Pope Leo XIV feels this risk and is facing it head on with his new encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas” on safeguarding the human person in the age of Artificial Intelligence. In our fast-paced, high tech world, we must be intentional about protecting our dignity as human beings and valuing that which makes us human.
In a world attracted and attached to technology, where we can easily lose the essence of who we are as humans, the Eucharist is, not surprisingly, exactly what we need. The fruits of Holy Communion in the Catechism are antidotes to the perils of the digital age: intimacy, community, separation from sin, strengthening in charity and being in touch with the needs of others, especially the poor.
As humans, we need intimacy, and the Eucharist is the most intimate encounter where we are seen, known and loved by Jesus. COVID-19 taught us it is not enough to watch Mass on TV. In the wisdom of the Church, it’s not enough to fulfill our Sunday obligation, but it’s also not enough for the needs of our human hearts. We need a real-life in-person community, and the Church gives it to us. The Eucharist separates us from sin, strengthens us in charity and preserves us from future mortal sin. Any time at all on social media reveals our deep need as humanity to be more charitable and to turn away from sin.
When we participate in the Eucharist, we are committing ourselves to the poor. We cannot eat the body of Christ and neglect the needs of others. It turns out, in the wisdom of God, that serving the needs of the poor actually brings great meaning to our lives. It is well documented that social media and smartphone use can lead to isolation, anxiety, lack of sleep, depression, sadness, disconnection, loneliness and despair. Service to the poor can be an antidote to these effects by bringing us out of ourselves and finding greater meaning and purpose in life working for justice with integrity. Connecting with our fellow human beings is so very powerful on a human level, but also on a spiritual level. As we serve others, we are serving Jesus himself. As we show our face and give our heart to others we do something the most sophisticated technology will never be able to do.
Technology and change are not negative things. They have great potential to serve the common good, to alleviate suffering and to bring greater justice and peace to our world. But, we must not lose sight of who we are and what our hearts are made for. The Eucharist is an anchor in a rapidly changing, turbulent sea that carries power for good and power for destruction. When we hold tight to the anchor, we do not drown in the sea. Our challenge is to use the power of the digital age for good, to grow deeper, stronger relationships with God and each other.