Mass Media Advantage

Sometimes the use of  media of social communications gets the upper hand as far as spreading good and noble ideas.  It’s because in direct verbal confrontation and dialogue sometimes there are people just too sensitive for conversing so directly, or feelings become more easily agitated thus preventing the fruits of calm interaction and exchange of views.  So since we are more on the side of spreading the truth than just indulging people’s feelings we can see how in the history of humanity mass media has exerted such an influence.  There’s even the Latin popular saying which says: Ideae Regunt Mundum, translate: It is ideas that rule the world.

No wonder how important therefore is the role of the media of social communications.  However, we should be involved in this means of communication since so many evil and corrupt forces utilize the media for wrong and evil motivations.  It surely is a challenge to be involved in the social media for a good purpose since it could just as easily be utilized for wrong uses, especially with the present progress of technological know-how and the sciences.

Life is worth living

The fact that we are supposed to respect every human life is basic enough for that concept that life is worth living.  However poor and miserable, yet when offered to God Almighty, every sacrifice or suffering has an immense value for ultimate salvation.  That is the basis for our Lord’s commendation for those who suffer in this world.

“How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Happy the gentle: they shall have the earth for their heritage.  Happy those who mourn: they shall be comforted.  Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied.  Happy the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them.  Happy the pure in heart: they shall see God.  Happy the peacemakers: they shall be called sons of God.  Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven; this is how they persecuted the prophets before you” (Mt. 5:3-12).

Proven worth

“Everyone who seeks always finds” (Mt. 7:7).  It’s a principle of proven worth enunciated by our Lord Jesus Christ.  Of course, what’s important is to seek the things of real and lasting value, not the foolish things of the world.  You can check the complete verse in the Bible.  Just as that common proverb that says, “To thine own self be true and it shall follow as day follows night you will be true to everyone.”

Most of the time people make the mistake of seeking the wrong aims or goals.  So they get what they want, the false values here on earth, or false motives and mistaken realities.  It’s important then to be after the true and lasting realities.  It might be well to cite the complete biblical text here: “Ask, and it shall be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.  For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him” (Mt. 7:7).  

Of course it’s important that in our quest we have that full trust in God and be sincere in our words. God Almighty knows and can read what’s there deep in our hearts, whether real faith and trust and sincere motivations.  We have to be clear and sincere in our relations with God.  Don’t forget the principle applicable also here: “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord your God” or in other similar words: “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test”  (Deut. 6:16; Mt. 4:7).

Concept on democracy

There have been different conceptions regarding the subject of democracy.  Well, the most prevailing at present is that it means “a government of the people, for the people and by the people.”  It originates from the Greek demos and kratia, meaning people’s rule.  

Understandably it would suggest one that respects the mind of the people rather than dictate its wishes for the people to do, which a dictatorial system implies.  Since dictatorships are no more popular, what is more prevailing practice are the democracies which give more say for the opinions of the people.  Dictatorships are not so popular since they would depend on strong-willed leaders which are not so common nor popular as the democracies that give more weight to majority opinion.

Certainly, as in the past, strong and enlightened leaders have shaped the courses of history.  The problems have come from leaders who were not so well-guided but brought some havoc into past history.  Anyhow, it’s true people do make mistakes.  So for our part, we should do our best to bring light to our world by honestly seeking for the true and right paths that lead to peace and justice. St. Paul had once said: “We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love him” (Rom. 8:28).

ACCUSING FINGERS

 We try to avoid the habit of pointing accusing fingers at others so we may not fall into a worse scenario of forgetting we have our own major defects to correct.  It’s true fraternal correction is part of our Christian upbringing and concern to help others in the ways of perfection.  But this should not be overplayed as if we don’t have our own mistakes to correct.  So Jesus made that point clear when He mentions in the gospel the advice to call our attention on avoiding that commonplace or general defect we have of faultfinding.  “Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own?  How dare you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye’, when all the time there is a plank in your own?  Hypocrite!  Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye” (Mt. 7:3-5).

This is certainly a significant advice of Jesus that we may progress faster in our own spiritual perfection instead of becoming stagnant because of the judgmental habit of gossiping on others’ defects or weaknesses.  Besides you might turn out to be that artificial person, so to say, a hypocrite which Jesus strongly criticizes.  You don’t tend to progress spiritually when you keep on minding what is not your own business but rather more of others’ concern.