THOMASIAN Jesuit priest Fr. Albert Alejo emphasized that “silence” is needed to counter “noises” in society during the seventh-day novena Mass for the feast of Our Lady of La Naval de Manila at Santo Domingo Church last Oct. 10.
“In this period of so much noise, conflicting stories and all kinds of sounds, there is no formative silencing. Sa ganitong panahon, kailangan mo ang pagninilay [sa sarili]. Si Maria ay ina, modelo, at guro ng pagiisip at pagninilay,” Alejo said in his homily.
(In this period of so much noise, conflicting stories, all kinds of sounds, there is no formative silencing. During this time, you need to reflect on yourself. Mary is the mother, model, and teacher of thought and reflection.)
The Jesuit priest also said silence is essential in contemplating and understanding one’s self.
Alejo, who was charged with inciting to sedition, kidnapping and serious illegal detention by the government in connection with a video series linking President Duterte to illegal drugs, pointed out that Catholics must learn to examine the truth and defend what is just in society.
“Naloloko pa rin tayo [n]g mga trolls, mga binabayaran… Bahagi ng pagninilay ay pagsagap ng mga balita, pagsusuri [at] paninindingan. Sa ating pagsusuri, [ma-distinguish natin] kung ito ay mali, labag sa bibliya, maka-Kristiyano, makatao o labag sa pagmamalasakit ng pagka-Filipino,” he said.
(We are still fooled by paid trolls … Part of contemplation is gathering news, analyzing it [and] having a standpoint. By analyzing, [we can distinguish] whether it is wrong, un-Christian, humanistic, or contrary to the welfare of Filipinos.)
He stressed that even amid myriad challenges, one must adhere to the truth.
“Kapag hindi tayo natutong gumalang sa salitang nakakabit sa totoo, hindi tayo makapagmamagaling na tayo ay nakikinig sa salita ng Diyos,” he said.
(When we do not learn to respect the word that is attached to the truth, we cannot claim that we are listening to the word of God.)
The grand feast of Our La Naval de Manila is set on Oct. 13. M. A. O. Castillo
