Why We Love Distractions

[@ralphauer150]

At 80+ years old I’m able to understand the quiet time in my life now. I do understand the past, and the rush I was once in. But to think a 100 years from now was anything really that important for me that is ever remember. Even family fade away. God must be our lasting purpose. Excellent subject Bishop Barron. 🙏

[@ceciliasandoval1726]

I'm 77 and age brings wisdom.

[@SnowbunyinIL]

It's pretty amazing that you're 80 years old and know how to use KZbin 👍🏻

[@FrancesODonovan-ci9qx]

I am very distracted. I can't switch off. I am distracting myself from life and meaning because I am too busy. I am like Martha. I need to be like Our Lady. I serve God which is great but I also need an opportunity for silence, prayer and peace. I am too tired tonight but will try holy hour in the morning without sending emails for that hour. I just seek to have time with God. I really like you Your Grace. You really help me. God bless Frances

[@dr_candiru7817]

Adoration. “Lord I trust in your silence”

[@supermario98507]

The mention of Dr. Kreeft's book reminds me of his mention of Kierkegaard: "the one remedy for all the ills of the modern world is silence, for if the word of God were proclaimed, it wouldn't be heard or headed for there is too much noise and business" Thank you Bishop!

[@deliamillanes7141]

‘Silence is the language of God, all else is poor translation.’ -RUMI

[@mrchipsusa]

What is the title of the book referred to?

[@supermario98507]

@@mrchipsusa Christianity for modern pagans: Pascal’s Pensees

[@mrchipsusa]

Thank you.@@supermario98507

[@janierodriguez3017]

Excellent discussion Bishop Barron and Brandon. Everything you said is true. It's a challenge to be still for too long and quiet. Thank you very much. Sharing this.

[@boysoprano5446]

Bishop Barron is one of the best religious communicators I have seen. Excellent spiritual mind nourished with excellent broad range of knowledge.

[@Adam444Tv]

“Set aside your obsessive activity and learn to be a contemplative more..” so true that’s a great way to develop maturity ..

[@michellek6533]

"Don't just do something, sit there!" On the social media scroll, to me this is remenicent of the full NYTimes as it was in the 90s, when I had a subscription for a time. I just could not read it all. With all the interesting information, it would just pile up, there just wasn't enough time. The media scroll does this even more efficiently, so many interesting things, a grocery store full. I need to limit time and pick the most nutritious with a tiny bit of sweets. I have to do the same with internet news etc. limit by time. If I can just get past that first page with all the interesting articles mornings online, my day is always better when I have quiet time with God before I do other things and read the days scripture and specific devotionals. Lord give me grace.

[@renijohn5111]

Be still my soul

[@jimmcfarlane5611]

Going to Mass gives me peace of mind just being in the serene surroundings of the church

[@ronaldrussellsr7766]

I’m a young SÖÖN to be 76 year old man. In the past two years, I’ve lost all but one of my very close friends. Even though I have a goal to live to be one hundred, I can no longer rely on diversions. I’m must confront those questions about death, heaven, hell and wether I lived a life worthy to my fellow man and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I’m in that Journey now. Please pray for me and I will pray for you now as not to disrupt. God Bless.

[@berwynsigns4115]

Thank you for this comment.

[@gcmartin4283]

A great place to be, when diversions and distractions are no longer taking us away from ourselves. God meets us in our soul and eventually enlightens it, when we spend time with Him in quiet prayer. H really does want to communicate with us in the silence.. and give us His wisdom.. a natural "knowing" comes with an abundance of mercy and love, when we look at our sorry souls and turn back to Him, repentant and sorrowful truly wanting a love relationship with our Savior.

[@ronaldrussellsr7766]

@@gcmartin4283 May the Peace of our Lord Jesus the Christ be with you always. Thank You my friend. Ron

[@michaelmemory6938]

Even as a young man, in the many hopeless pitfalls of my life, Bishop Barron's words and demeanor have done one thing that many distractions (that I willingly look out for) have never been able to: nourish me with hope.

[@dawnlapka3782]

There are some things we call distractions that really aren't distractions. Things like an intimate life with your partner, or quiet past times that are good for your brain: puzzles, liesure activities, etc. These are good and we need them. But a true distraction is something that prevents your relationship with yourself and your relationship with God, and your relationship with others in work, church, the community and home.

[@r.m5883]

Should pin this comment, it’s wise!!!

[@gaspartiznado6418]

Exactly! And likewise, good things which may not appear distractions may also become actual distractions. Edit: This was something the some saints have often spoken about, but specifically St. Bernard.

[@dawnlapka3782]

@@EsseQuamViderity The Bishop asked for more kindness and love when responding to each other. That said, I do very much understand the depth/essence of distraction, and what distraction causes in a person's life. I think that you just wanted to pick a fight to see what would happen, which is a distraction in itself.

[@360hershey7]

I think the enemy has slyly entwined an addictiveness to media, intentionally drawing us away from intimate communication with Our God.

[@jimmyross4352]

⁠@@360hershey7true. and “smart phones are making us stupid” Bill Maher

[@KKZ27]

Bishop Baron is my favorite distraction

[@ChristinANickerson-w9z]

Good God stuff! Love the STOP BEING cruel! I'm far from perfect the cruel word has such a domino effect and yes we all know about sticks and stones. Yet cruel words have a far lasting effect on humans then most people realize.❣😃✌God bless both of you.

[@prioress]

When I retired, I found it harder to sit quietly in adoration. My whole life was now silent and being on my own was uncomfortable. Living alone and losing aging friends to relocations of one type or another, is challenging. No one to make decisions, big or little, but me. We are social beings. Some distraction is necessary. Some interaction is necessary. Some silence is necessary. Too much of any of it can mess up the balance. Finding the balance is worth the tight rope walk.

[@dawithileyesus448]

Thank you Bishop

[@cme4608]

It's helpful for me to return always to the notion---it's not so much about MY life, but about my participation in the Greater Life.

[@BERTolkein]

Great discussion! The irony in Pascal being both a ‘father’ of computing and a prophet of distraction is rich. Forwarding this to my Exodus 90 brothers as we make a special push this week to avoid unnecessary digital device use.

[@irenecopiozo4012]

This is so timely in my situation. thank you .

[@humbie62]

Thanks bishop ! You help me to become a better human and a better Christian !

[@docgillygun9531]

I'm so happy I found Bishop Barron and this forum. What strikes me most is that despite his position as a Bishop, he presents himself as very knowledgeable, yet he is just a cool down to earth man that is inviting and engaging to talk to. I agree that the scariest place for a person is the unoccupied mind that is forced to contemplate the reality and meaning of their life as well as contribution to the greater of humanity.

[@seanoconnor250]

Thank you !!!

[@marypinakat8594]

The song that I came to sing remains unsung to this day. I have spent my days in stringing and in unstringing my instrument ... (Gitanjali 13, Tagore)

[@lornavaughan-bb7gp]

Thank you Bishop Barron and Brandon. GOD bless you both .➕️ ♥️

[@celtoroma4013]

Thank so much for this speech Bishop. I came back to faith years ago through a couple of solicited and unsolicited steps. The Shroud of Turin, the death of my father, unemployment and other hardships, Bishop Barron's virtual blessings and the reading of a scientist mathematician and logical mind Blaise Pascal. Not only is he behind computer technology, but made the first operating calculator, of which IBM owns one.

[@marypinakat8594]

Thank you for the awesome comment✨👍

[@davethemanstanley]

I love how transparent Fr. Barron is in this particular video.

[@joetunon]

17:30 that face! LOL This really connected with me. I gave up social media last year and I feel so much cleaner after finding myself swiping brainlessly, wasting my life away. This video is my favorite so far. I, too, was introduced to Pascal by Kreeft, and I was floored when he put his finger right on that existential dread we all feel when the distractions aren't there. Brother Lawrence's practicing of the presence of God is a great help as well, but if you haven't read Pensees and you've ever felt that existential dread, take the time to read it. It will change your life. (It may feel worse before it gets better, but once you get through it, you'll be glad you did.) Peace!

[@janemazzola4454]

To challenge this total quiet hour: had I not turned on my computer this AM, I would have missed this WONDERFUL talk @ the essential questions of life/death, & Pascal (introduced to me by a philosophy prof in grad school). Also, Brandon, w/multiple children, how does your wife (or you) escape for a Holy Hour? I know: w/6 (now adults) children, I've walked that walk, along w/professional career. An aside: if memory serves me well, one of first computer languages was named pascal. Keep up the good work, gentlemen!

[@mbtvalli]

Oh, Bishop Baron! Thank you for your apt description of our dilemma. And especially for being so honest about your own challenges. The truth sets us free. This is especially pertinent to this Time of year when darkness beckons us to the quiet.

[@jamesdriscoll4125]

🕊️ Eucharistic Adoration ✝️

[@ameliakelleywiley7846]

Thank you, Bishop Barron for the gems in your talks that give me the “blessed” opportunity to witness to my 20, 17 & 13 year old grandchildren ! Often I will say to them: “Did you know …” as I will about the seminarians’ detox for a year from their phones! I will repeat you & this is all I will say but I’ll know I’ve planted a thought which I’d not ever have been able to get across in my own words! I remain so very grateful to you! And the way you answered the listener question about being kind in making comments was salve to my distraught state of mind because I received an unsettling reply to a comment I’d made to your wonderful presentation with Mr. Rufo. I was crestfallen and quite upset. I did not reply, of course, but more terse replies were added. I prayed for the writers and I especially pray they were listening to you today!! Again, thank you for ALL your masterful, deeply loving guidance to your people! As ever, I’m sharing in Christ’s love for you!

[@michelleharkness7549]

Affirmative: thank you so much 😊: again, thank you 😊

[@CatherineSchuelke]

As a mother of a 21, 18, 15, and 8 year old, thank you for reaching out to your grandchildren! It is a challenging time for all of us, but especially for them as they have missed out on many stabilizing and reassuring experiences that those older than them had. And you are in. A perfect position to gently evangelize. Because I have seen 'what a Lonely world it is' for my kids who have launched, I've pressed forward into high school youth ministry I'm my parish and perhaps THE most important aspect of passing on the faith is Relationship. You have that with your grandkids and it's wonderful that you are sharing moments and planting seeds! The world may not thank you, but the world and your family will be the better for it.

[@Rugbylacroose4life]

God Bless you Bishop.

[@christinasachin8684]

The great discovery in adoration Not filled with prayer...but prayer until I tire of myself trying to keep the deep quite conversation with The Lord at bay. Then in letting go of everything and anything but being in his presence and entering into love. Then the joy enters..because the exchange of love between the soul and God is the purpose we were born for. All other works are brought to life there because Jesus speaks there ..and His voice brings peace and hope and forgiveness and everything we are restlessly and distractedly looking for in all the wrong places.

[@kathleenwharton2139]

I pray for Love 💕 and Peace for EveryOne and then do as God Prompts me. 😊❤

[@hopenify]

This is exactly the subject of my diary last night. The dread of thinking of serious things opposed to the disgust for the distractions.

[@stevensobba1785]

Was thinking silence, then you brought in Adoration ,Holy hour. Thanks

[@rhwinner]

Facing the indignity of coming old age and dying is immensely challenging but, once confronted, strangely liberating.

[@mrpernickety3]

Thanks father, I needed to hear this.

[@Praise_and_Worship_NA]

To you who follow these Prayers every day, God Bless you and Prosper in everything you do, your seeds of Prayers will bear Good Fruit❤Jesus Loves you❤Amen❤

[@ronaldrussellsr7766]

May your prayers and wishes come right back to you. Thank You from the bottom of my heart. Ron

[@michellek6533]

@@ronaldrussellsr7766 Amen and amen!

[@kevinjboconnor]

Needed this today! Thank you.

[@Coco2345ful]

Really loved the content of your discussion. We are infinitely drawn to distractions! However, a busy mother is not distracted by fb! I really miss not having a yearly retreat with the ladies of my parish. I loved it so. My Father Le Clair, Griglak ,and beloved Father Theil in Ohio many years ago. Really long for this now!

[@tomlabooks3263]

Great conversation, I’ve just bought the Peter Kreeft book. I recently realized that most people who “love to read”, especially young people, actually read empty and shallow books with the same attitude of someone who is desperately looking for a distraction.

[@ElmachitoSilbateador]

What's the book name?

[@tomlabooks3263]

@@ElmachitoSilbateador “Christianity for modern pagans”. I highly recommend it.

[@helouisesteenkamp8652]

Ouch! So true! Thank you for challenging me.

[@Jimwaugh8]

You’re very inspiring Bishop Barron. Thanks for this.

[@marypinakat8594]

*Bishop Barron:* We have to deal with the great abiding Central questions, about God, about meaning, about where my life is going, about death, the fact of death, the fact that I am confronted with eternity ...

[@diannhall7564]

Well, this episode was a distraction (distracted by a phone call from another state)! But, I appreciated all you said. The point about leaving the phone behind for an hour of prayer and contemplation ❤ Yes❗️ 📖 ✝️ 😊

[@cadusteigleder9648]

Regards from Brazil! Thanks so much for all this amazing content!

[@elizabethclark4722]

It’s interesting that this would come up as a topic while I’m distracting myself on KZbin…😂… spot on!

[@LauriRoth-ex6mi]

„🤟💬LET’S DISCUSS💬🤟"

[@ChildofGod98765]

Heavenly and merciful Father, I come before your glorious throne today, in humble adoration please help me overcome my struggles and my constant fear of homelessness. I will continue to walk with faith! And not by sight! I trust in you even as I struggle to take care of my children and myself. As a single mother things are so hard on me. Both of my sons are autistic I’m overwhelmed. God please hear my prayers. I’m constantly struggling to buy groceries and constantly struggling to pay rent, and now that I’m home schooling them I need help with supplies. I’m ashamed and overwhelmed. But I choose to have faith over fear as christians that’s all we can do. I praise you Heavenly Father I know a blessing is on the way!

[@rubicon2288]

Love this talk

[@zenaidaroque1483]

Amen. Love it.Thank you Bishop.

[@suzannederringer1607]

I haven't read Pascal in decades, and clearly didn’t get the message. Need to read again. At my age, these questions are central.

[@frankie8648]

I am crippled with the opposite problem; I cannot function because of my inability to stop thinking about “the big questions.” It’s a very serious problem. I constantly pray to be released from this debilitating obsession. 🙏🏼

[@mmccready5075]

I know how debilitating those thoughts can be. Can I offer an exercise that works for me? It was suggested to me by a wonderful disabled friend who had more than his share of worries. When you realise your thoughts are spinning out of control, imagine you move them from your mind into your hands and then into a box on a shelf. He called it compartmentalization. I still do it every day. I hope this helps.

[@ZaprdicaJelic]

We in the west don't do humility very well, so we ponder big things whilst doing not much about them. Realising this firmly and ackowledging our place in the world may not be grand can go some way in releasing us from it. Coming from personal experience.

[@peggym.fanning3917]

Try to persist in thinking about something else.@@ZaprdicaJelic

[@MysticDr]

A very insightful presentation! Thank you!

[@nickrugg]

Going to incorporate this into my presentation at work. It’s about career fulfillment and burnout. Distraction from our purpose and the hard questions that we all must face is a huge part of our dissatisfaction in our lives.

[@moniquevamado]

Sitting quietly in a room is the best part of my day because God is in the silence awaiting me, with me. It is there that deep calls to deep. ❤

[@ameliakelleywiley7846]

Thank you!! ❤️🙏🏻

[@bukurie6861]

Thank you!❤Blessing&Love❤

[@susanbuck477]

Thanks. This was a good talk.

[@VictoriaEikevik]

good timing fr, cya in a year. have it good, goodpeople

[@ximenarebollo6813]

I truly need this 🙌🏼

[@ceciliasandoval1726]

Since I've been born again these questions are always before me.

[@antoniadasilva5328]

So thankful for this!!!!❤❤❤

[@jmmichael3980]

WORDS. WORDS. I love the messages. Thank you. I do find myself distracted trying to understand the “big” words and I get lost on the message. I believe if you’re trying to teach and focus on the masses like Jesus, you have to communicate at that level. I’m perfectly fine if you teach me with crayons instead of fountain pens.

[@its9429]

That was great.

[@reneecostello3824]

I was confused that Bishop Barron talked about going on retreat and not wanting to confront the bigger questions of life. Doesn’t he do that all the time? It seems to me like it’s part of his calling as a priest. From the outside it looks like he grapples with the bigger questions in life every day and encourages others to do so as well. You are awesome Bishop Barron. Thank you for all you do.

[@dennisederer3594]

Very inspiring and truthful discussion. Keep these presentations coming.

[@HeroBear_Gaymer]

One thing I've noticed lately is at eating times (Lunch or Dinner) at a publish restaurant people will sometimes distract themselves while eating their meal through their phones. Instead of engaging with others or their loved ones. I've tried tto set my phone too not disturb or mute it during meals and focusing on the discussion or those questions. sometimes those questions end up coming up too

[@dynamic9016]

Thanks much for this video.

[@TJ1920]

Distracting and Focusing are 2 things that are extremely difficult for me to do even when I am very interested in a homily and you tube talk that I am extremely interested in 😊 Toronto Ontario Canada 🇨🇦

[@jessehoxsey4729]

ADHD maybe?

[@diannefitzmaurice9813]

Those philosophical questions are indeed challenging, since most of those great questions have no final answers. But with prayer answers come. When I was studying philosophy and got very confused by it all, the Holy Spirit's answer was simple and summed up in The Great commandment with this tacked on : That is all there is to know and all you need to know ! This has kept me focused through my life and don't have the same distractions from the challenging questions. Now it is ordinary life and work that has distractions! I guess I need to pray now for the grace to keep focused in/on work . lol!

[@PamelaRiggs-i9c]

I give up Facebook for lent so I'm not distracted. I want only to meditate and pray. More. Then when Lent is over I tell myself less on Facebook . I really try to use to encourage others and pray,motivate.

[@MonseiurFusiono]

a master he is

[@nightyew2160]

The propedeutic year is a tricky thing in this day and age when we rely on technology for basic communication. IHM in Winona tries to strike a balance by allowing use of tech for necessary things. For example, my son was able to e-mail me some paperwork I had to fill out for his FAFSA. (After all, universities still expect to get paid.) Also, he was able to reply to my questions about details for the Family Weekend event. They also get two hours to break the fast on Saturdays. I like to call at bedtime to do bedtime prayers together. It's also fun to use some of that time to set up an occasional Google Meet or just chat by phone. Heh, I think his technology fast is harder for me than it is for him.

[@criscavi19]

The way to happiness is interiority, living with our eyes fixed in God.

[@haydongonzalez-dyer2727]

Love it

[@Chegles1]

I am 78 years old and lead a quiet life. The things I loved in my youth hold nothing for me now. I was the first to the party and the last to leave. I don't mind being by myself and enjoy my own company. I have a husband that can't sit still and wants to do this and that so there is a compromise. The thing is I feel guilty for not wanting to be a social butterfly but if you put me in the situation I can be quite charming and enjoyable to be with, I enjoy other people when in their company. I just feel guilty for not wanting a more active social life, I don't know why. I feel like I should want to be with people more but I don't. Maybe it comes from being from a family with 11 siblings and never having my own room or space. Any thoughts?

[@splinterbyrd]

Pascal spoke of sitting alone in a room, and he was right. But he didn't say sitting alone doing nothing.

[@robertmueller2023]

Sin, faith, and eternal life. My three favorite religious concepts. If I am omniscient (sinless), and optimistic (faithful), will I have eternal life? In the here and now?

[@samuelalli5086]

Amen

[@marcuswilliams7448]

10 minute mark, discussion of busyness; the late Eugene Petersen addresses this quite wonderfully in his book The Contemplative Pastor, using an analogy from Herman Melville's Moby Dick. Eschew busyness.

[@anneturner2759]

Distractions, balance, moderation all good. My favourite time is twice a day, morning and night , laying on my bed , staring up at the ceiling and being still , all my thoughts ,real , deep thoughts come rushing., it is then that I start talking to God. It’s the best , just the best. He made me and I always tell Him , thank you for giving me my sense of humor. Just thought of something that always made me laugh. My late husband was cerebral and used his head all day long working as a lawyer. He had the best dry sense of humor . I used to bug him all the time with , “ darling , let’s talk about the universe “, “where did it come from”? “What do you think heaven is like “? Lolol , drove him crazy…. “ darling”, he’d say,” can I just eat my dinner “. Then he’d say, “ don’t know where you came from”…. I’d say “ God “. He had faith , he used to say, it’s written “ , I’d say , “ok , let’s talk about it”… lol I think some people who aren’t” crazy busy” , say they are so they will feel important… I’m rambling…. Thanks gentlemen.

[@finegentleman7820]

You are funny:). I am 34, and will try that. Thank you 🙏

[@esterbauzon1895]

Distraction is one deliberate cover up of fear

[@seekingtoremain]

For more about building unity in the world, especially from the lay perspective, the Focolare Movement, one of the lay movements that began in and around WWII centers around how through love, we can work toward unity as Jesus prayed for in John 21.

[@AdelSalti]

11:33 Pascal’s answer likely urges that quiet, direct conversation with our Lord; in response to His Gracious Invite : “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you [singular pronoun] REST. Take my yoke upon you, AND LEARN FROM ME, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬

[@michaelsalter3459]

Yay 😊

[@roxanneirazoqui5877]

❤

[@godwinogbe8465]

Please is there any way to get these books in Nigeria? I teach religious education and would love to tell mi kids these saintly stories.

[@OrionOodama]

Surprised this episode is only a little over 20 minutes. Intentional or by design? Let's see. The next episode can be an indicator if this is a mere coincidence. Yeah, distracted. Thank you for the reminder. And heck, keeping distracted so to elude the must-face bigger picture (or obligation) can cause unhealthy mental and emotional well-being.

[@tubejim101]

I'm sorry, I got distracted. What was the question?

[@gustp5600]

Amén 🙏🏼 Buenos días Algún día podríamos ver esta entrevista con Monseñor Barron en español Gracias Muchas Bendiciones para todos ustedes que hacen posible estas trasmisiones y que podamos aumentar nuestra Fe Gracias de Corazón

[@pravinasingh2267]

The world glorifies busy!

[@John.Christopher]

❤❤❤

[@RosaGarcia-cp2lp]

Does dr visit counts, as alone in a room ?

[@khangle3472]

Hello Brandon, I feel like sometime you ignore what Bishop Baron just said by not responding to whatever he say and moving on to a new topic. For example after after he responded to your question about his world youth day experience you immediately ask another question without commenting or responding or acknowledging what he just shared. I've noticed this on many occasions

[@jmon3924]

Watching this while distracted on my phone

[@robertlande3033]

Joseph Conrad recommended keeping busy to avoid thinking about the heart of darkness. Or Camus: life is absurd, just enjoy it as much as possible.

[@LauriRoth-ex6mi]

„🤟💬LET’S DISCUSS💬🤟"

[@robertlande3033]

@@LauriRoth-ex6mi what’s on your mind?

[@leisurelord6242]

great seeing you bring the profundity and the real revelations of Catholicism to KZbin. Sort of evangelizing in a way that is consumable for those who might otherwise be turned off by the church. the format of the borders and video quality looks a bit old school though, enough to deter.

[@kipling1957]

I live in Canada and would like to buy the Saintly Creatures book but it doesn’t appear to ship here.

[@WithGodAllThingsArePossible982]

It was lockdown that forced me to face myself. Very dark days indeed for me, but I'm all the better for it now 🙏

[@susanparker767]

✨🙏🏼✨