With the advent of the internet age, the social
world has been abuzz with a new mythology that is spelled with an “e” instead
of a “y”. Indeed, we have come to live in a time when most social network sites
promotes adherence to the I’s of daily life. How else do we explain why “selfie”
was chosen as the word of last year if not for the exponential boom of MEdia.
Facebook says, “Like me.”
Twitter says, “Follow me.”
Instagram says, “Look at me.”
You Tube says, “Watch me.”
Sadly, the focus of living is slowly shifting towards
one’s self and self-interest alone. Active posters will show what they eat at
breakfast, at lunch, at dinner and in between. They show their new pair of
shoes, and how they used them. They give their virtual friends and followers daily
glimpses of their day at work and very much anything they can think of under
the sun and in a snap of a mobile camera.
Lent has started today and we are being challenged
to a different ME.
As the impression of the ashes on our foreheads
symbolizes, we must re-learn to live in hu”me”lity, one that is not about us
but about others and more importantly about God.
It is a timely opportunity to reflect and
contemplate what we can do for God and for others to make our own life have a
deeper meaning.
Lent is a time that instead of making sweeping
remarks about the evils and pitfalls of social networks, we turn the tables and
make good use of media to bring across the message of God’s salvation for all
those who are both lost and seeking. We do know and see how good and
well-meaning people and organization use the internet media to spread God’s
Word and humanitarian assistance. The Catholic church, in keeping pace with
the current trend, has also gone internet to catechize and preach the
believers.
When we learn to moderate or even deny the “me”
in our everyday and concrete lives, then we will realize that we have truly
humbled and transcended above our own selves.
Our daily post and updates to those around us
will be radically changed to the following:
Watch Jesus instead of watch me.
Look at Jesus instead of look at me.
Follow Jesus instead of follow me.
Be like Jesus instead of like me.
God bless.
(This reflection was inspired and with excerpts
from the priest’s Ash Wednesday homily at Ortigas Park. He emphasized his 3H
main points – humility, (true) happiness and holiness as a guide for us to have
a meaningful observance of Lent)
