The impact of everything that is happening in our world, in our country and in our family has, in one way or another, made us disoriented, distressed, or paralyzed. The situation we are in has surely overwhelmed us. However, it is moving to highlight the words of Jesus in the Gospel: “Peace be with you. Receive the Holy Spirit.” This is also the source of our joy and our hope. Like the Apostles in the upper room, we are also being empowered by the Risen Lord through the Holy Spirit to go into the world and proclaim the Good News. The Holy Spirit continues the work of the Holy Trinity to sanctify the world by inspiring each of us to proclaim Christ to others.

Despite having lockdowns for so long a time, the social media has become our platform for evangelization. One of the major challenges in using social media is to be mindful of our words and actions for the sake of the good of the Church. Words are very important in social media. One who is filled with the Holy Spirit uses words that bless people and not curse any human being; words that build up the Church and not destroy it; words that preach Christ’s message and not advance one’s own agenda for recognition.

I am very much inspired by preachers who are making efforts to make available their humble reflections on the Word of God in social media platforms. As a priest-in-process, it is also part of our apostolate to be present in social media. More than being present, we are always challenged to seek the inspiration from the Holy Spirit so that whatever we would speak about or post in the social media are always true, charitable, inspirational, and Christ-like.

By: Sem. Glicerio T. Tano

Today’s Gospel

Jn 20:19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.”