Spreading the good news in the digital age: A challenge to the youth

It is very timely that Cebu has been chosen as the place where the National Youth Day (NYD) is held as the Philippine Catholic Church will be celebrating the 500 years of the arrival of Christianity in the county in 2021. 

 This can surely help the 12 thousand participants and 3 thousand volunteers meditate on the meaningful beginning of Christianity in the country. Once again, they can witness the image of the Santo Niño as the evidence of the historical event that happened in 1521 in Cebu, the cradle of Christianity.

This year’s NYD theme “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to Your word,” was also the theme of the World Youth Day in Panama, last January. Upon reading the NYD’s theme I am triggered to share my two cents worth of ideas to the participants and to all.

If we revisit the Bible, those words were first uttered by no less than the Blessed Virgin Mary, the model of the youth. (Luke 1: 38). Reading the whole chapter 1 of Luke’s gospel will make us realize the mission of the Blessed Virgin Mary which is very relatable to the young people. 

Mary was in her adolescence period when angel Gabriel announced to her that she will conceive and give birth to a son, Jesus. She answered, “Be it unto me according to your word.”  She entertained no doubts in carrying out the greatest mission, being the mother of God.

Thereafter, while Mary was pregnant, she travelled a long way to the house of her cousin, Elizabeth, who was also 6 month pregnant at that time. She volunteered to serve the couple Elizabeth and Zecharia who were already very old when they were given the blessing to conceive a child. Plus the husband was unable to speak as part of punishment for his doubts of God’s miracle. 

According to the medical experts, the first 3 months of pregnancy of a woman is very crucial. As per account of the Bible, Mary served her cousin Elizabeth even if she was also in her crucial stage of pregnancy.  Nothing hinders her desire to serve, without thinking of any favor in return. 

Like Mary, we, especially the NYD participants, also have missions in life.  Not as burdensome as hers, but what is important is for us to have commitment. Note that everyone, like the apostles, were ordered to preach the good news to the world.

In the advent of internet, the NYD participants, most of them are internet savvy, can have a great role in carrying out such mission. They don’t need to walk like the apostles to reach other people, but through digital equipment they can send the message to the four corners of the world.

I can just imagine that if the thousand NYD participants will use the internet for good, they can really make a difference. They are like God’s warriors who would counter the fake news, bad news, evil and immoral things that usually went viral on-line. 

How the good news will make viral online to counter the evil ones, is everyone’s challenge. We and the NYD participants can help a lot if we make commitment to do it. In our own way, like Mary who accepted the mission without any hindrance, we can also say, “Be it unto us.”