Gen-Y or the Millennial generation have been called the “Instant Gratification” generation. Many positives have been attributed to this, such as higher expectations in customer service, to instant access to movies, music and other media that have made life more convenient. There are also many negative effects of instant gratification that lead to things like addiction, pornography/masturbation and compulsive behaviour.
I’ve seen this “need” in my 25 year old step-son. His smartphone rarely leaves his side and is often “fact checking” during conversations or while watching a movie. As soon as he receives a notification, he immediately checks his phone and often replies right away. Mass is the only time he does not look at his phone but upon leaving the Church he will take his phone out and check out what he has “missed”. I’m very certain these are things that can wait but he has been “conditioned” and almost have an entitlement to be able to peruse this ASAP.
“Once, when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau returned from the countryside exhausted. Esau said to Jacob, ‘Give me a mouthful of that red stuff there; I am exhausted’ — hence the name given to him, Edom. Jacob said, ‘First, give me your birthright in exchange’. Esau said, ‘Here I am, at death’s door; what use is a birthright to me?’. Then Jacob said, ‘First give me your oath’; he gave him his oath and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave him some bread and lentil stew; he ate, drank, got up and went away. That was all Esau cared about his birthright.”
Genesis, 25:29-34 – New Jerusalem Bible
One of the largest fast food companies introduced “Order Kiosks” in an effort to expedite the Fast food process and to increase sales. This took the “Human” element out of the interaction of the experience and reduces it to a quick transaction between a person and a machine, similar to paying a parking meter. Basically, you select your Option(s), select a payment method and receive your Order.
This type of interaction or lack of “Humanity” exists in pornography as well. You go to a Website, make your selection, you may or may not need a payment method (often not) and receive your order/masturbate. When We as Men, look at porn, we are there for the masturbation and the quick results of that transaction. Rarely does masturbation not accompany pornography.
Both Fast Food and Pornography are about giving what You want as fast as possible. Like Fast Food’s effects on the body, Pornography will not harm immediately, but using and consuming will damage your Soul.
St. Joseph Terror of Demons, Pray of Us that We are able to exercise restraint and temperance in Our Lives so that as Men, We can be of service to our Families instead of for Ourselves.