Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Tuesday Tech Talk: The Better Part

Today's Tuesday Tech Talk is a review of a Catholic iPhone app - The Better Part. The app is based on the book by the same name. The app and the book are written by Father John Bartunek, L.C., who is also a primary contributor to the Catholic Spiritual Direction blog.

The application is a vehicle to transmit portions of the book on a daily basis to it user. What this means is that the app becomes a tool for daily prayer and scripture study. Father Bartunek organizes the reflection by gospel readings. You have the choice of reading through a gospel or following the gospel reading of the daily liturgy.

Father Bartunek frames the daily prayer and reflections into four categories. First, is Christ is Lord. These sections tend to focus on the context of the gospel reading while focusing specifically at the totality of Christ's life as our savior.

The second section is entitled, Christ the Teacher. This focuses on the underlying message and teaching Christ is sharing in the passage. The third section is Christ the Friend. In this section, Father Bartunek focuses on the personal relationship Christ is developing with us through the story of his life with his disciples. The fourth section is entitled Chris is My Life and generally consist of prayers drawing us into the scripture and asking our Lord for guidance in understanding what we have just read.

Father Bartunek concludes the reflection with a series of questions that can be used for private meditation or part of a small faith group sharing. Throughout the app, you are provided with a "+" sign which pulls up an outline of prompts to help you meditate on the reading. The Meditation Guide includes the 4 C's: Concentrate, Consider, Converse and Commit. Each of these has a few sentences to help you move deeper into your meditative journey, towards Christ.

I actually prefer the app to the book because I can carry this around when I travel. Furthermore, the type is easier to read than the one in the book. I recommend you add this to your Catholic Toolbox.


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