Friday of the Third Week of Lent
(Hosea 14:2-10; Mark 12:28-34)
The name “social
media” sounds promising. It speaks of
people coming out of their shells to know others. The reality of social media – it turns out – has
been as much harmful as helpful. From
the first, on apps like Facebook many have used social media for exaggerated self-promotion.
With more sophisticated apps like X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Instagram,
and Tic Tok along with Facebook, social media has enabled groups to foment
common prejudices and hatred.
As much as anything else, social media is a human invention
that is given godlike attention. In today’s first reading the prophet Hosea
foresees a time when such artificial creations will cease to enthrall people to
distort truth. He hopes that society “… shall
say no more, 'Our god,' to the work of (its) hands.” Condemning social media, however, is no more
a remedy to the problem than condemning television was fifty years ago when
sociologists became aware of all the violence it projected. Rather than that, there must be a reform that
takes society back to the first priorities of a vibrant social life.
Jesus names these priorities in today’s gospel. First, people must strive to do God’s will. Then, proceeding from this principle, they
must treat others like they want to be treated.
This is a tall order in a pluralistic society where many do not know God
and many others understand Him in different ways. It calls for us to pray that God acts in His
mysterious ways. It also summons our testimony
to Jesus Christ through public worship and sacrifice of self on behalf of those
in need.
