ABSENT WHEN PRESENT

We can be absent when we are present. Though we might be in person at an event, a conversation, with our wife/husband, our family, our business and job, with our faith community… whatever: we can be there and not be there.

Much could be said about our habits, desires and preferences for music, movies, TV, news, sports, Internet, videos and other distractions that allow us to be absent though present. This can cause us to listen but not hear, to nod in affirmation while nodding off into la-la land. Where is la-la land? ‘I don’t know. Go ask your mother.’

Perhaps the greatest assault on presence is of course the ever-present cell phone. It has taken an entire generation from present to absent. In the middle of taking a bite of a special dinner out with our sweetheart in a fine eating place… we hear the little ding, and down goes the fork, the moment, the thought, the ambiance… to answer the ding and find out from the dog sitter that Randall the red Irish Setter went out and did his business. From presence to absence in ten seconds. From special dinner to nothingness. It just doesn’t seem like it should be this way.

Simone Weil (1909-1943) social and religious philosopher and Christian mystic wrote:
“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.”

I firmly believe Weil is correct.

“Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?
Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” Jesus