By Katie Robey
During my time as an English major, I was once posed a question that had a profound impact on me: Does the literature you read actually matter?
Taking some time to reflect on this question, I answered yes. What we consume in our art, entertainment, and media really does matter.
Good work should ultimately direct us towards what is true, good, and beautiful. These transcendentals reflect the goodness and reality of God’s nature. Oftentimes, our media and entertainment industry can be filled with what seems like meaningless and pointless messages and constant consumerism, a stream of noise, and can even feel counter to what we as Christians believe to be true.
When we consume media, it can be important to reflect on what directs us towards Christ or recognizing what might be pulling us away. Does this work direct me towards truth and a call toward the good and the virtuous, or is this something that might be counter to what I know or to what the Church teaches.
Lent offers us time where we may begin to evaluate and reflect what we are taking in. During this time we might begin to seek out media and art that calls to a higher good and draws us closer to Christ, calling the person to greater virtue and increase in holiness.
As Bishop Barron states, “Begin with the beautiful, which leads you to the good, which leads you to the truth.“