The Unseen Effects of Reading (The Drew Mariani Show)

With endless texts, headlines, emails, and short-form videos competing for our attention, sitting down with a book can feel increasingly difficult. On The Drew Mariani Show, Drew and Dr. Jeff Gardner explore what we may be losing when we stop reading. Drew points out that reading requires something our digital habits often discourage: patience and concentration. That matters spiritually, too. “Our faith requires attention. Scripture requires attention. Prayer requires attention,” Drew said. “You can't understand Augustine or Aquinas in 30 seconds.” Dr. Gardner agrees that declining reading and shrinking attention spans can reinforce one another. Without time for reflection, he warns, we can become more likely to make snap judgments instead of carefully considering what is true. He connects this problem to the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus challenges the Pharisees to look beyond external observances and consider what comes from the heart. That habit of deeper reflection matters because our attention shapes our actions. Dr. Gardner explains that when the deep thinking associated with reading decreases, people can become more emotionally impulsive. Nowhere else is this more apparent than on the internet. Reading, then, isn't merely about finishing more books. It can train us to slow down, wrestle with difficult ideas, and resist the temptation to react instantly. And in the spiritual life, learning to pay attention can help us focus on listening to God. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.