“We can’t close our eyes and ears to the tragedies and changes happening in the world.”
“THAT’S too scary to think about,” one person would say, referring to this Sunday’s Gospel. “Yeah, no one wants to think about earthquakes, wars, famines, and plagues,” another person would say. “We’d rather think of good and happy things, instead of these disasters.”
The truth is, these things have happened or are occurring already. Just look at the global news, and you’ll see evidence of these happenings.
Besides natural disasters, there is also evidence of continuing moral decay, such as the disregard for the dignity of human life, mass shootings, racism, homelessness, poverty, drug trafficking, human trafficking, greed, corruption, fake news, and all kinds of and injustices and deception. And despite the connectivity of people on social media, we’re also seeing a higher number of people who suffer from loneliness, depression, and suicidal tendencies.
Then there are moral tensions we feel regarding same-sex marriage or change of gender identity.
“We can’t imagine seeing these things happening in our lifetime!” some of us would say. “The world has changed!”
We can’t close our eyes and ears to the tragedies and changes happening in the world. No matter how we ignore them, there is something in the goodness of our human nature that affects us, making us suffer and feel the pain and confusion of others. There is something in us that wants to do something good for others.
Perhaps, that’s what we need to listen to – this desire to do good for others and make a difference in the world, be it small or ordinary.
As we approach the holiday season, may we hear this good voice inside our hearts! May we focus on the good things that we can do to make this world a better place to live!
Blessings to all!
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Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
