Bare-naked for all to see
AT no other time had we been collectively hooked on our social media than when we were all told to stay home. And, boy, social media was revealing. Posts, shares, rabid opinions, dares, and Tiktok. Yes, Tiktok. Pre-Covid, Tiktok was only known to the GenZ’s and their self-indulgent ways. Now it has crossed and grabbed the Facebook crowd.
Today’s realities are all out there on social media. The manipulative desire for power of the left who have no qualms about agitating the poor and expose them to Covid by violating social distancing is one such disturbing reality. The ineptitude of some traditional politicians like the top honcho of Quezon City makes us heave a sigh of relief that we voted for the right leaders. And while the rabid anti-Dutertes are foaming in the mouth every time the President addresses the people, we say a prayer of thanksgiving for the Divine Power that thrust him into national politics and win in 2016 when a global pandemic was still fictional movie material. Imagine had the others with well-oiled machinery gunning for the presidency won -- Mar, Binay, Poe... Thank you, Lord, for your divine compassion and mercy.
Meanwhile, while we are happy that there are hundreds, even thousands who are donating for frontliners as these are announced with glee on social media, we can’t help but desire to be able to tell them: Tone it down.
“But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:3-4)
No, we don’t intend to rebuke. We just feel that a lot of Divine rewards are going to waste. But then, that’s the donors’ choice, not ours.
The most disturbing and heart-breaking of all is how many people, amid this global pandemic, have turned against health professionals and discriminated them, refusing them entry to their dormitories, subdivisions, and homes. And we feel helpless, seeing all this happen right in our city, where people take pride in being helpful and considerate of people in need.
One thing is sure at this time while we while away hours and days at home, quarantined, sent into isolation by a virus: It is in times of crisis when our true selves are exposed. This fact includes the Tung guy of the sardine brand and the conyo guy of Davao. We learn a lot just wasting time hooked on our social media including life lessons in prudence as a virtue. saestremera@gmail.com