A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart. (Proverbs 18:2)
That sounds like a description of many political pundits and social media commentators. The Internet and social media have given platforms to every fool to broadcast their lack of insight so that those with similar inclinations can unite in a like-minded community (referred to as homophily by those in the know).
Folly is considered a sin in Christian tradition because it is not just a ‘mistake’ but involves intentional behavior. Fr. Patrick Reardon in his book CHRIST IN THE PSALMS (p 25) writes:
“Folly, in the Bible, is a thing deliberately chosen. What is wrong with the biblical ‘fool’ is always a matter of heart. He is the man obdurate in evil. If the fool does not understand, it is because he is intentionally blind; his is hard of heart.”
Bloggers and political opinionators don’t need to know anything; they don’t have to have any wisdom, all they must have is a willingness to express their opinion and a way to connect with people who think like they do.
Great Lent is a time to overcome folly in one’s life and thoughts. It may require great effort to overcome one’s inclination to read or listen to that newsfeed which is aiming to distract you and then seduce you. However, the way to fulfill Christ’s command to love one another, will not be found through paying attention to political pundits or social media. It will only happen when you turn the foolishness off and decide to choose to love those around you. Keep Christ in your heart, before your eyes, on your mind. As hard as it might be for you, completely shut down those who distract you from Christ and the Gospel life.
That means of course not paying attention to all the talk which is so alluring to you and which social media exploits so well to keep you captive. Probably the only way to do that is to quit all those media feeds that constantly seduce you to pay attention to them – they are feeding your addiction and through adds are getting paid to do so at your expense and to keep you enslaved.
Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)
Fraternized 