It has become too individualistic that it lost its sense of solidarity; what is left of man is an exultation of his own self blind and deaf from the needs and efforts of others. The world has taught him to live by his own, to do whatever he wants, and to enjoy the world as if everything, even life itself, are in his disposal. He has become the master of himself to the point of enslaving his humanity.
Man has created a worldview of indifference. From "No man is an island" he shifts to an object of solitude. Man becomes his own island. He separated himself from the bond of the mainland, from the solidarity of a community life. How many of us would think that the beggar on the church door is a part of the worshiping community? Home many of us would dare to let in a homeless into our dinner table? How many of us would really care about the misfortunes of others that we watch on television news or hear in radio reports; have we grown too comfortable in our seats just sitting back and feeling relaxed?
We are challenged to us our gifts in building the Kingdom of God. The first reading taken from Ezra (1:1-6) shows how King Cyrus, who inspired by the Lord, ordered the construction of the temple in Jerusalem: "All their neighbors gave them help in every way, with silver, gold, goods, and cattle, and with many precious gifts besides all their free-will offerings." They knew how to give. They knew how to offer help. They knew what it meant to be a community one in faith. They knew how everything they had came from God and how it is only fitting that these be returned and used for His glory.
Our talents, skills, strength, power, and resources are all but from the Lord. We are called to do the same - to use all these for His Kingdom. Blessings are not given to us to flaunt and be proud off. What we have are not to glorify our own abilities and to raise ourselves above others. Jesus in the Gospel (Lk 8:16-18) admonishes us to be light to every one. We should not hinder ourselves from doing what we can for the benefit of the community. We are a part of it. How stern does the Lord tells us, "To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away." When we are rich in whatever, these riches must be offered in order to continually build up the Kingdom. We must share the same light to those who have less that the fire burning in their hearts would inflame more.
Would you go off your pew and turn to the beggar and greet him or her with the sign of peace?
Would you be kind enough to offer a loaf to hungry child in the street after you have fed yourself in communion?
Would you dare defend one hopeless and innocent baby from the brutality of the world?
But the gravest question is not always easily answerable with a yes or no, but one asked with a HOW.
What has become of this world? Pope Francis remarks that this world has become a "throwaway culture." Everything is disposable. Everything is temporary. He noted in his inaugural homily that "Everything has been entrusted to our protection, and all of us are responsible for it." This shows only that we are a part of a whole that should take care of one another and not only of ourselves. It is touching that he adds as he left Brazil during the World Youth Day: "Show by your life, that it is worth giving your time and talents in order to attain high ideals, it is worth recognizing the dignity of each human person, and it is worth taking risks for Christ and the Gospel."
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