New York State is clamping down on drivers who use mobile devices while driving. Statistics show that distracted driving makes for dangerous situations and terrible accidents.

With technology at our finger tips, human beings have become so acclimated to instantaneous communication that our bodies automatically react to answer the cell-phone, text a message, or look at the news flash passing over the iPAD.

The behavior all seems like a new problem. But it’s not.

Distraction is an old, old problem for humanity.

What distracts?

Fear, anger, jealousy, pride, impatience, morbid curiosity, obsessions, hate, need I go on?

I can picture my mom and dad, moving the family from the east coast to the west coast. Driving in a car with 3 toddlers floating around. No seat belts. Not many McDonald’s along the way, if any.  Changing diapers, breast feeding, making sandwiches all while driving.

And, my ancestors before that were probably riding their horses around the country, vulnerable to the distractions of bears and weather and hunger.

We read in the Gospel, “Martha was distracted with much serving,” at a time when Jesus came to visit the home and she was working in the kitchen. Martha even asks, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” (Luke 10:40)

Jesus’ answer to Martha helps us learn how to un-distract ourselves. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Seeking Christ, as Mary sought Christ, is seeking awareness, patience, acumen, integrity, and generosity, all qualities we can manifest while driving.

From 21st Century Science and Health, “Every step toward spirituality is a departure from materiality and is a tendency toward God, Spirit. Material theories partially paralyze this attraction toward infinite and eternal good by a distraction to the measurable, flamboyant, and chaotic.”