The Age-Old Call to Listen

Many young people (and older people too) seem to have lost a sense of purpose and belonging these days and consequently are awash in depression, anxiety, and loneliness. As a society, we no longer give much of our time and attention to fostering the formation of friendships and providing opportunities for rites of passage that allow us to explore our interests, test our strengths, and instill purpose through service to others. Today’s generation typically experiences the important developmental milestone of the mythic “hero’s journey” in a virtual fashion through video games.

I was heartened recently to learn that some video games are now being designed to help people learn the tools they need in the quest for a meaningful life. For example, the premise of the video game “Sky: Children of the Light,” is that all the stars were once united in a great light, but when darkness came, many stars
fell out of the sky. The goal of the players is to “help the star spirits return home … you will need compassion for humanity, timeless wonder, and light within your heart to guide your way.” Importantly, players receive encouragement and affirmation as they test their skills; they have a goal of serving others; and they can form relationships by teaming up with other players around the world.

The way that earlier generations embarked on a hero’s journey was very different. Many people were tested early on and without much preparation through marriage/child rearing at a young age, illness, family responsibilities, the experience of discrimination, and/or the challenges of living in times of war. Some of today’s young people will experience those things too, even as they are immersed in a culture of gun violence. It’s encouraging, then, to know that a mechanism they can relate to (playing a video game) is available to teach them about the courage, inner strength, friendship, and compassion they will need to face the challenges they will encounter.

Although technology can be put to good use in this context, we all need to be willing to respond to the crisis facing so many people today by being available to them and, as St. Benedict instructs, “Listen with the ear of your heart.” All the technology in the world won’t lessen the need for that age-old and critical component of loving our neighbor. Giving others our full attention signals our belief in their worth and affirms their dignity and purpose as fellow bearers of the Christ light.