UST Parish Priest Fr. Paul Talavera, O.P. presides over the Easter Vigil Mass at the UST Santisimo Rosario Parish Church on April 16, 2022. ((Photo by Joselle Marie B. Reyes/ The Varsitarian)

UST Parish Priest Fr. Paul Talavera, O.P. in his Easter Vigil Mass homily urged Catholics to refrain from spreading false information and gossip about other people.

In the Mass at the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church on April 16, Talavera said the faithful should be like the first witnesses of Christ’s resurrection.

“Hindi si ‘Marites’ kundi sina Maria Magdalena, Juana at Mariang Ina ni Jaime ang pumunta upang masaksihan at mabalitaan ang mabuting balita na muling nabuhay si Jesus. Magandang balita ang kanilang binahagi sa mga apostol,” Talavera said.

Marites is a novel Filipino slang term synonymous with chismosa, or a person who likes gossip.

“Aminin natin, minsan o madalas, tayo rin ay mahilig sa chismis, tayo rin mahilig makipag-usap tungkol sa ibang tao na madalas wala o hindi natin kasama. Buti na lang hindi Marites ang unang nakakita na walang laman ang libingan ni Hesus. Baka kung ano-anong chismis at fake news na ang pinalaganap nito sa social media,” Talavera said.

Talavera said Catholics should instead strive to share Christ’s good news.

“Kasama ba tayo na nagpapalaganap ng magandang balita? O kabilang ba tayo sa mga nagbabahagi ng kasinugalingan, kasiraan at hindi pagkakaunawaan? […] Tayo ay inaanyayahang huminto, tumahimik, sumandali, maghintay, at alalalahanin ang mga pagkakataon na nararamdaman natin ang presensya ng Diyos sa ating buhay,” he said.

The UST parish priest also called on the faithful to live well and value their loved ones to make the most out of their Easter celebrations.

“Kung mayroon man tayong natutunan sa ating karanasan, ito ay ang bilis o ikli ng buhay ng tao. Gamitin natin nang wasto ang ating buhay. Talavera said in his homily. “Ipakita natin, habang may pagkakataon pa, ang pagmamahal sa ating mahal sa buhay at simulan na natin ang pagbabagong buhay. M.C.L. Serquiña

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