Proclaim the Good News, Denounce the Fake and the Bad News

The world today is beset by fake news. Fake news is the a form of disinformation or a form of grave lie which seeks to deliberately shape an erroneous public opinion, to revise history, and challenge fundamental truths and values we already believe in.

The internet, especially the social media is weaponized by fake news to spread lies.

This disaster of information is happening not only in the Philippines. It is happening all around the world. With the proliferation of fake news, we need to ask ourselves: How does fake news shape public opinion? How does fake news affect my moral sense?

People behind the spread of fake news is all up about making someone look good at the expense of an existing value we already believe in. They, presumably, are trying to woe public to agree to them and their hidden agenda. Behind every fake news is a hidden agenda.

However, the worse effect of the proliferation of fake news to us is that even as we know it is fake news, lying is okay far as it serves us. It invites us to fall into the temptation: I could achieve anything I want through fake news. I could deceive. I could lead everybody through misinformation.

In our Gospel for today, we hear Mary’s excitement to share the joy of the Good News to her cousin Elizabeth, and at the same time the desire to know also the Good News from Elizabeth. So we see here two women sharing the Good News to each other, sharing the truth to each other.

Mary simply cannot contain the joy of her divine motherhood that she had to run and travel through the hill country in haste. To proclaim the Good News and to Learn the Good News. The Good News at this point in history is scattered that God leads the characters he used to put them together. Mary is the first to put together the Good News of; first as she received in Nazareth and then looking for it elsewhere, this time in Judah. God’s revelation is starting to take shape in the heart of Mary, and in the heart of Elizabeth and Zechariah.

The characteristic of Good News is that it is truth. It is New. It is Good. It is beautiful that it must evoke joy and excitement. We are not enticed by ugly, lies, and bad. These are the works of the Evil One. Good News unites. Bad News divides.

• Chismis is a form of bad and fake news because it is not a validated truth, and it seeks ti impugn the character of other person.

• Pagmumura is a violation to the Good News because it violates kindness and decency.

• Pagsisinungaling o panlilinlang is the enemy of Good News because it violates the truth and Christian Charity.

Christian Charity asks of us to tell the truth at all times because people deserve to know the truth.

The Gospel invites us to share Good News, and the truth, in haste. Mary’s excitement is an invitation for us to proclaim the Good News and denounce the bad News, to verify each news and denounce the fake news.