I have a computer on my desk, and an iPhone in my
pocket. We have WiFi in the rectory, and
high-speed broadband internet connectivity.
Our communications technology is fast.
I frequently order from Amazon.com, things I used to
write on a list for the next time I could drive to the store. Often they arrive at my door the next day; I
am disappointed if I have to wait both days of the two-day shipping. I send out emails every morning, and chafe if
I have not had a response by lunch. I
send text messages to people from whom I want to find out something right
then. My plans are frustrated if I have
not had an answer in fifteen minutes. So
you see, sometimes I suffer from Instant Syndrome.
Our expectations have been set by the instant technology
that links us to one another, and to the producers, vendors, communicators, and
commentators of our society. We tap our
fingers impatiently if we have to stare at the spinning color wheel on our
screen for more than a second. We go out
of our minds if our request, operation, or order is not completed immediately;
something is not working as it should.
What is the problem? Is the technology not up to
speed? Then it must be fixed. But what
if the technology is working? Then the
problem must be….with the people! Some people
are not up to speed some of the time. Some
people are not up to speed at any time.
People are not instant. But is
that a problem?
Our instantaneous technologies have transferred our
expectations for instant communication and placed them on the people with whom
we are communicating. But do you know
what? That is not the way people
work.
People have lives.
Lives are complex. Complexity
requires consideration, balance, and compromise. None of these things disposes the average
person to present an instant response to most communications from most people
under most circumstances.
Electronic communication deprives us of any
information about the person we are dealing with, except for what we expect
from them. We do not know if they are
sick, or changing the baby, or running for their lives from a wild beast. We only know that they aren’t meeting our
expectations. We are quick to transfer
blame to them. Blame leads to
anger. Anger is a symptom of Instant
Syndrome.
Don’t be angry.
Don’t have instant expectations for anything but instant
technology. People are not the problem –
they are the reason we communicate in the first place. Don’t let Instant Syndrome describe your relations
with people; none of the best relationships are instant. Real people, and real relationships, require
time – your time.
Delfina Castro, our business manager, is in El
Salvador for three weeks to help her sick sister. She paid the bills, and set up payroll to
come out on schedule. Other than that,
folks just have to … wait. You would be
surprised at the responses that elicits.
There must be some way I can get
what I want, when I want it, because I want it!
We have great technology here in the rectory; fast
technology. We also have some really
terrific, helpful, generous people. Just
not very many – you’d be amazed how much is done by so few. So it may take some time before we can respond
to any request. How much time may depend on things that you do not know as much about
as you know about your own expectations.
The best
stuff we have for you is what we have had since Jesus gave it to His Church two
thousand years ago. And freely giving
some of our own time to Him is the best cure I know for Instant Syndrome.
Monsignor Smith
