What does it mean to be fully human in a technological world? This question is racing into our society at an alarming rate. Pope Leo made it clear that it demands the perspective of faith. The encyclical Magnifica Humanitas provides many reminders that lay the groundwork for ongoing discernment as the capabilities and dangers of artificial intelligence increase.

Here I offer just one passage as an example:

“If technological development advances without a corresponding ethical and social progress, the result may be an increase in means without a growth in humanity; ‘having more’ without ‘being more.’”

Being more is central to our Christian calling. There are many temptations that surround us, and every time we give in to sin, we discard something of the image of God within us.

Repentance is the first step in ordering our lives in a way that leads to heaven. It also means turning toward the loving mercy of God and ordering our lives according to eternal goods.

When we set our hearts on eternal goods, we can take advantage of technology in ways that serve the human family.

The proper ordering of our lives is one key aspect of worship. Worship directs our whole being toward what is greatest in our lives. False worship surrenders our freedom to what can never fully satisfy.

The choice to worship God alone was on powerful display throughout the Diocese of St. Augustine on May 24-25 for the launch of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.

Thousands of people prayed in adoration and gave public witness to our highest good. God is present with us and has come to his people in the flesh and as food. We knelt in worship and begged the Lord of all creation for grace and mercy. Right worship makes us fully human.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself …” (No. 1324). Pilgrims seek the sacred in holy places, and the streets and waterways of our diocese carried us forward during those days. Christ himself walked among us, and we felt our hearts soar.

There are many lingering images from the pilgrimage. There was a symphony of voices in prayer, but one voice stands out clearly for me. As we celebrated Mass at Christ the King Parish, there was great silence as I elevated the host, now become the flesh of Christ. One voice, louder than he imagined, came from a member of our L’Arche community. He proclaimed, “My Lord and my God,” and in that moment our attention was fixed exactly where it belonged. The whole spiritual good of the Church was offered, and we worshiped the God of all creation.

Such a moment is what we were made for. Such a moment is what we cling to so that we never forget who we are.

Technology has always been both a testament to and a challenge for human ability. Progress does not happen in straight lines. We advance, and we compromise. Such is the reality of the goods of this world. Technology allows many tasks to be completed more quickly and increases productivity, but human wisdom reminds us of something greater. Artificial intelligence will never be the same as human intelligence. All the goods of this world will pass away, and we must not cling to them.

Center your life on the Eucharist and never settle for the worship of created things. Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you.