CBCP to faithful: Take a break from gadgets, read the Bible

MANILA, Philippines — An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines urged yesterday the faithful to take a break from using cellular phones and other gadgets this Lenten season and instead spend time reading the Bible. 

Boac Bishop Marcelino Maralit Jr., chairman of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Social Communications, said that the faithful should spend quality time this Lenten season on reflection and prayers through silence. 

“We have to go back to the basics of reflection and prayer, which is, first, silence. If we have cellphones or anything that distract, we will never get that silence necessary for us to be able to listen to God,” he said in an interview over the Church-run Radio Veritas.  

Maralit’s statement came a few days after Pope Francis appealed to the world to disconnect from their phones and cease their online trolling to focus on their religious devotions this Lenten season.   
He urged the faithful to read the “text messages” of Jesus Christ through the Holy Bible.

“I would like to invite everybody, especially this Lenten season, to put aside your phones for at least two hours a day – pray, read the bible, read spiritual books, pray the rosary, do something different this Lenten season and I assure you it will change you a lot,” Maralit said.   

Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos also reminded the faithful to remember the sacrifices of Jesus Christ as he urged them to communicate with him through prayers and reflections.  

“God is our reward, God is the only answer to our needs and He is our only salvation. Remember God is not after our titles and honors. He looks for purity of our hearts and sincerity of our actions,” Santos said, adding that only Jesus Christ can provide whatever the heart desires.
He also reminded the young that temptation is always a reality in life.

“Jesus was tempted, so are we. His temptations are also now present. Jesus overcame all those temptations and so can we and emerge victorious,” he said. 
The Catholic Church started observing the 40-day Lenten season with Ash Wednesday last Feb. 26.  Lent ends on Easter Sunday, April 12.