World Communications Sunday

(Allow me to share in this column my reflections-turned-homily which I delivered last May 16)

After the historic and first ever automated election in our country, we are thankful and glad of the fast outcome of the recent elections. Certainly, we have seen how the advancement of technology can assist the society in shaping the future of our young people with high hopes on those whom we have elected. Although there were some flaws and inconveniences noted, yet each one of us will agree that God has given us this technology to help us improve our life as a nation.

As the Holy Father affirmed in his last year's WCD message, the new digital technologies are, indeed, bringing about fundamental shifts in patterns of communication and even human relationships.

Today, we celebrate the Ascension Sunday. We are once again reminded of Jesus' return to the Father. Jesus is both leaving behind yet at the same time sending his apostles to a mission. In our gospel, Jesus clearly told his apostles that "the death and resurrection of Christ, the message of repentance, the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem."(John 24:27)

 

Proclaiming the message of salvation is indeed a difficult task that will entail struggles, pains and even persecution. But as Jesus told them, "behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

 

We cannot imagine the hardship entrusted to the apostles. Just as we cannot picture our life without the good means of transportation and communications, as we now enjoy. Yet everything was achieved through a very slow process of fulfilling the will of God.  Thus, "stay in the city until you are clothed with the power from on high."

 

Today everybody is into e-thing. E-commerce, E-mail, even e-gospel and e-prayer. There had been a great advancement of our culture. In fact, the theme of this year's World Communications Day - The Priest and Pastoral Ministry in a Digital World: New Media at the Service of the Word - is meant to coincide with the Church's celebration of the Year for Priests. It focuses attention on the important and sensitive pastoral area of digital communications, in which priests can discover new possibilities for carrying out their ministry to and for the Word of God.