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The world of social media, I must say, is very noisy. Not only that. It is also noisome. Owing to the phenomenon of disinhibition, in turn caused by the relative anonymity enjoyed, people have become less gentle, more brash; less cautious, more impulsive; less kind, more cruel and rash in judging.

Surprisingly, when certain matters are damning to the same noisy social media “influencers,” they clam up. They are totally silent. The vociferous noise they made on issues that do not square with their own agenda is just equaled by the unparalleled silence they have on issues that can damage or hurt them.

This is exactly the same tactics used by mainstream media. Why is media so noisy when it comes to news that damage the Church, and the same is so silent when there are lots of good things done by the same Church?

Today, one of the rulers of the Pharisees, who “had [the Lord] under close scrutiny,” was silent before the Lord’s questions. Not only were they silent, “they were not able to reply.” The Lord had a very simple question. “Is it allowed or not?” “If a child or an ox falls on a ditch on the Sabbath, would anyone pull it out immediately?” No reply!

The sad event of the massive fire that damaged the Notre Dame Cathedral last year occasioned lots of noise. Those who hated the Church had their heyday. “Why donate money to the ‘world’s wealthiest institution?’” “Why continue on believing in false gods that after all could not defend themselves from the conflagration?” People for or against did the equivalent of “burning the wires” to prove their point. But one good thing that arose from a seeming upsurge of negativities was this: not everybody was silent; not everyone chose not to reply.

Before the silence of people who were usually noisy, the Lord did the right thing. “Taking hold of the man, he healed him and released him.”

What do you say? Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

---------- REFLECTION QUESTION ----------

How do you defend the Church traditions that you have been following since you were a little child?

I believe in the Church You founded, Lord Jesus. I believe that even in the worst of times, She will survive. Amen.

Today, I pray for: __________________________