April 17th, 8:00 pm to April 18th, 8:00 pm

Holy Thursday through Good Friday

Nothing has the power to lock us up in ourselves like a glowing screen. The allure of seeing new things, knowing about other people's lives, being up-to-the-minute current with the news, it all draws us into that screen in ways that can tend to separate us from one another and make us forgetful of our loving God. The experience leaves most of us looking for an excuse to ditch the screens and do something else. Here's our chance! This Good Friday, beginning at 8pm the night before, join me in "unplugging" for 24 hours. No phone, no television or internet, just peace, prayer, and gratitude for the good things Jesus has done for us. Let's experience the freedom Christ wants to bring us.

Fr. Zwilling

Many of us can relate to being too attached to our digital devices. With everything from banking and fitness to email, video streaming, and games accessible on our phones, tablets, and laptops, these devices can become a distraction, or even an addiction. This has even more serious implications when it comes to social media. People spend more than two hours daily on social media, including platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, according to recent research.

These survey results raise the questions: Are we spending more time with our devices than with God?

And are we investing more time on social media than on nurturing in-person relationships within our communities?

Let this Good Friday be a time where we take these questions to prayer.

Fasting

Fasting is a practice of self-discipline with a penitential focus. Most commonly, it refers to reducing food intake by limiting how many or the size of meals we eat. Among the many reasons for fasting, especially during the season of Lent, one of the most compelling is how it can reveal disordered dependencies, helping us to grow in the virtue of temperance, and preparing us for reception of the sacraments.



When we fast from food or luxuries, we create space for God. Our fast reminds us of our need for God and brings us back into relationship with him. Fasting also invites us to renew our relationships with one another in our communities.

Unplugging

“Unplugging” - the act of intentionally eliminating screen time or time spent consuming digital media - is a worthwhile and challenging type of fasting. Ask yourself: How can I unplug and intentionally use the time offline to spend more time with the Lord? Can I reinvest and dedicate the time unplugged to prayer or charity?

Ideas for what to do when you unplug

How will you spend your time offline? You must prepare to be successful. Here are some tips and ideas.

Prayer

• Attend Holy Thursday Mass at 7:00 pm, followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
• Attend a Good Friday prayer service at 3:00 pm or 7:00 pm
• Make a Holy Hour or half hour. A holy “five minutes” is better than zero.
• Pray a Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet and offer it for a loved one or the souls in Purgatory.
• Read Scripture. Consider praying Lectio Divina with any of the readings from Holy Week
• Pick up the Catechism and dive into an aspect of the faith you want to better understand.
• Read a hard copy of a spiritual classic. Here are some recommendations:
• “Confessions” by St. Augustine
• “The Story of a Soul” by St. Therese of Lisieux
• “He Leadeth Me” by Fr. Walter Ciszek, S.J.
• "The Reed of God" by Caryll Houselander
• Go for a walk in nature and offer your movement outdoors for those who are sick or unable to do so themselves.
• Offer your heart to Jesus by journaling about the experience of spending time offline.

Works of Charity

• Peruse a printed copy of your parish bulletin to discover ways to get involved or give back.
• Spend time in phone-free fellowship with your parish, school, or ministry community.
• Volunteer with Catholic Charities, or other local community service organizations
• Write a handwritten letter to someone, just to remind them how much they are loved.
• Create a piece of art - maybe paint, draw, or crochet - that you intend to give away.
• Find items in your closet or pantry that you can donate to a local shelter.
• Offer to go grocery shopping for an ill, elderly, or pregnant neighbor.

Many excerpts above are taken from the Diocese of Arlington's Diocesan Day of Unplugging. For more information or ideas visit their webpage here.