It’s almost been a daily occurrence to me to come across posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, particularly by Filipino Catholics and Christians, saying “Thank you, Lord!” and “feeling blessed,” “To God be the glory” and “God is good all the time!” as captions on their photos of a routine dinner, a casual day trip to the mall, a meal sent by a friend or even an uninteresting item they have just purchased, and almost every food that ever reached their stomach from breakfast up to midnight snacks. Do we really need to know about the mundane events that ever happened and mundane items they ever had in their lives? Their need for constant validation through social media posts also becomes a way of sowing envy among their friends and audience, and imply that ‘My life is better than yours!’
Sadly, even during Lent, which is the season of the liturgical year when Catholics are strongly called to repent and work on spiritual growth, there are many Catholics who do not take the time to ask themselves, ‘Does God want me to do this? Is He pleased with my actions?’ In fact, they are more concerned with flaunting how they are living life to the fullest and enjoying material possessions. Their social media posts often include the Name of God in vain instead of being more sensitive in their posts, considering there are many living in poverty, hunger, and deprivation such as orphans who have no parents to enjoy weekends with or sick children who are confined in their homes, unable to play with other kids.
Called to repent
Repentance is a necessary aspect of our spiritual journey as Catholics. It is through repentance that we acknowledge our sins, realize our faults and ask for God’s mercy and forgiveness. If we do not repent, we risk being unable to enter into Heaven or Purgatory after death and face the possibility of being condemned to Hell. Not seeking God’s forgiveness means throwing away the opportunity to experience the joy of eternal life in the New Jerusalem when the world comes to an end.
It is essential that we make repentance a part of our spiritual lives to remain in God’s grace and stay on the path to salvation. We must remember that our time on this earth is limited, and it is crucial that we use that time to live a life pleasing to God and regularly turn to Him in repentance. Let us not be so consumed by worldly distractions that we neglect the state of our souls and put our eternal salvation at risk.
A twisted view
It is evident, however, that many people on social media are so engrossed on patronizing worldliness rather than taking the time to examine their own hearts and ask for forgiveness for their sins. Have they ever considered the possibility of facing an unexpected death without having repented and confessed their grave and mortal sins? Perhaps not.
Those worldlings are not afraid because they feel they have nothing to repent for. They believe they have a “close” relationship with Jesus Christ even though they rarely enter the Sacrament of Confession, attend Holy Mass or serve others in need, if at all. What makes them arrive at such conclusion? It seems that some people have come to the mistaken belief that they are living a righteous life simply because they are comfortably surrounded by luxuries, fortunate with rich family and influential friends, and have not faced significant hardships. But we must remember that material wealth and worldly success are not true measures of a person’s righteousness or favor in God’s eyes.
In this era of social media, many Catholics and Christians have developed a distorted view of God—that He rewards worldly favors to those whom He is ‘pleased with.’ And that God is allowing them to live their lives however way they want, while ‘promising’ them a place in Heaven with Him.
Or so they think. Because they are spiritually blind.
Spiritual blindness
There are people who have become spiritually blind, unable or unwilling to see and understand the greater truth of God’s Word and His plan for humanity. This spiritual blindness can arise from sin, pride, or ignorance, and even from selfish desires and secular distractions. As such, they do not recognize the wisdom and will of God in their lives.
Apart from Catholics who indulge in worldly pursuits on social media, those who have rejected the teachings of Jesus Christ and acted in opposition to His will are unquestionably among the spiritually blind. These individuals may be living in state of darkness, separated from the grace and love of God. Even the faithful of us who strive to follow Christ can experience moments of weakness and spiritual blindness.
My Reflection
I think about the Transfiguration of the Lord, and I’m reminded of the Apostle Peter and, I believe, his moments of weakness and spiritual blindness…
In the gospel of Matthew (16:21), Jesus first revealed to His disciples that He would have to undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes in Jerusalem, be put to death, and ultimately, on the third day, be resurrected. Our Lord was preparing them for the trials to come.
But Peter, one of Christ’s closest disciples, was understandably troubled by this prophecy and took Jesus aside to rebuke Him, saying “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you” (Matthew 16:22). Despite being a close companion of Jesus, Peter struggled to realize the significance of what Jesus was foretelling them about His Passion and Resurrection.
Then came the momentous event of the Transfiguration on the summit of Mount Tabor wherein Peter was granted a profound vision of the glory of God, which foreshadowed the ultimate triumph of Christ in His Resurrection. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that through this miraculous experience, Peter was able to see a glimpse of the divine majesty and was reminded of the promise that, through Christ’s Resurrection, our lowly bodies will be transformed into glorious bodies like His own (CCC 555).
“And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.”
~ Matthew 17:2
“and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.”
~ Mark 9:3
Peter was clearly overcome with awe and wonder, but he did not fully grasp the message on the impending suffering and death of Jesus. Instead of accepting the reality of Jesus’ Passion and Death, Peter suggested that they stay on the mountain and build tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. This scene highlights Peter’s spiritual blindness and his inability, in that moment, to understand the depth of God’s plan for humanity.
Seeing Peter in ourselves
At first glance, we can understand why Peter wanted to stay in the bliss of being with Jesus, Moses and Elijah in the Mount, which means evading sufferings and death. It is natural for us to not want suffering and pain, but to live a comfortable and easy life until we grow old. Every person wants to avoid the pain and sadness of the death of their loved ones.
In his spiritual blindness, Peter initially failed to see the importance of Jesus’ suffering and death as part of God’s salvific plan—that it is through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection that Jesus would redeem humanity from sin and death, and open the way to eternal life. On the cross, He took on the punishment for our sins and reconciled us with God. The love of Jesus for us was evident in His willingness to bear our sins and their consequences.
Sadly, a lot of us Catholics are just like Peter. We hear God’s Word, but we would rather hide or run away from the Calvary in the narrow path of salvation. Peter was up there on the Mount, seeing a sneak peek of God’s glory, and his first thought was to remain there in comfort and safety to avoid the suffering and death that the Lord foretold for Himself. Even with such incredible vision before him, Peter did not have the courage to follow God’s plan. Instead, he tried to talk Jesus out of it, which goes against the salvation of all humanity.
“Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
~ Matthew 17:4
Peter might have thought that avoiding pain and death would be the best course of action, even for Jesus, when the ‘means’ of avoiding sufferings and death was right there in front of them in Mount Tabor. Sometimes, even the most faithful Catholics easily forget the words of the Lord. Just like Peter, who was among the closest to Jesus, yet he momentarily lost sight of and forgotten what Jesus had already made clear—that the path to eternal life involves taking up your own cross and following Him, even it means suffering and sacrificing for His sake:
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
~ Matthew 16:24-25
Many are spiritually blind
Nowadays, many people may be spiritually blind like Peter. They have encountered the greatest Sign of Jesus Christ on earth through the Eucharist and have heard the Gospel countless times during Mass or in Catholic classes at school. However, the wonders of God have not moved them to repent, amend their ways and take the time to get to know Him. It is important for each person to look within and examine whether they live their lives according to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Like Peter who knows that Heaven exists, Catholic worldlings have the belief that there is a heaven, but are not moved to do anything to learn or revisit what Jesus Christ says on how to get there. They actually think that simply believing while chilling out, coasting through life and posting on the social media are enough to qualify among the elect.
Peter had other moments of spiritual blindness. He denied his association with Jesus three times. And he was not present during the Crucifixion to accompany Our Lord and His Mother and offer consolations. The Catholic worldlings of today are again, like Peter in spiritual blindness, because while they call themselves “Catholics,” they are not on Jesus’ side. Instead, they show support to their friends who are having homosexual relationships (and the abomination of having babies made in laboratories from sperm and egg donors) by flattering them in the Comments section and liking their posts in the social media. Perhaps they are so desperate that they will do anything just to get the approval and validation of those people—abandoning Jesus on the Cross.
Catholic worldlings choose to ignore or reject the teachings of God, particularly in regards to issues such as homosexuality. They hold the erroneous belief that God will not punish those who engage in immoral and deviant sexual behavior, as well as those who support such behavior. Such notion is contrary to the teachings of our Faith, for God is just as He is merciful:
“Their very looks bear witness against them, and they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not even attempt to hide it. They have brought disaster on themselves.”
~ Isaiah 3:9 (I believe that this is a prophecy for our times with regards to gay pride parades, wherein participants have no shame in displaying their sexual perversions. Gone are the days when sodomites were “closeted.”)
“Although they know the just decree of God that all who practice such things deserve death, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.”
~ Romans 1:32
“Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor sodomites nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
~ 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“Therefore, God handed them over to degrading passions. Their females exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the males likewise gave up natural relations with females and burned with lust for one another. Males did shameful things with males and thus received in their own persons the due penalty for their perversity.”
~ Romans 1:26-27
“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; such a thing is an abomination.”
~ Leviticus 18:22
“If a man lies with a male as with a woman, they have committed an abomination; the two of them shall be put to death; their bloodguilt is upon them.”
~ Leviticus 20:13
It is very concerning that some Catholics, like Peter in the Transfiguration, have the tendency to forget or twist the teachings of Christ, even when they are clearly stated in Sacred Scripture. Instead of embracing and following them wholeheartedly, they try to rationalize and make them more convenient or adaptable to their own desires, needs, benefits and preferences.
However, we must remember that the words of God are crystal clear, and we should not twist them to fit our own agenda. Some Catholics and Christians, like in the example above, try to justify and downplay the sin of sodomy, which is obviously condemned in the Bible. They say that God’s anger is being misinterpreted. They argue that these verses have multiple interpretations and are not to be taken plainly as they are written. How ironic that these same people who try to manipulate the teachings of Christ often take other verses of the Bible literally, especially those that promote the “Prosperity Gospel” such as:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
~ Jeremiah 29:11
Those who are spiritually blind are often tempted by the Devil who deceives them into believing that they can enter Heaven without having faith and without any effort, that is, enduring sufferings. They are blindly convinced that they are God’s favorites, which is contrary to the truth. We can see an example of this in Peter who was under the temptation of the devil when he rebuked Jesus about God’s plan of salvation. We recall that Jesus turns to Peter and says one of His famous words,
“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
~ Matthew 16:23
Good works, suffering and sacrifice as expressions of faith
During the Transfiguration, a voice from heaven speaks and declares, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matthew 17:5). This event affirms Jesus’ identity as the Son of God, which may have reinforced Peter’s faith that He is the Messiah (Matthew 16:16), and that is truly a wonderful message to us.
It is important to remember, however, that faith alone is not enough to enter Heaven. There are Catholics and Christians, including those “feeling blessed” posters on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and think that just having that belief is more than enough to be saved. But the Catholic Church upholds that faith and good works go hand-in-hand. Both are necessary for salvation and to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Sacred Scripture tells us that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).
As Catholics, we believe that good works are an essential expression of our faith. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the perfect example of love and charity, taught us to love our neighbor as ourselves. By serving and doing acts of love for others, we are not only living our faith but also spreading the love of Christ. Good works are a reflection of our faith, and they bear witness to the love of God in our lives.
Furthermore, we must recognize that good works can also be a form of suffering. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that our good works can become a form of prayer and sacrifice when they are offered to God in union with Christ’s suffering on the Cross (CCC 1368). By offering our good works as a form of sacrifice in the Name of Jesus, we are joining ourselves with Christ and participating in His mission of love and salvation. In doing so, we participate in the mystery of the Cross and join in solidarity with our suffering brothers and sisters around the world.
Sacrifice, as on offering of love to the Lord, may come in various forms, including physical illnesses and challenges that cause discomfort and pain, or emotional hardships like sad memories and traumas. It may also include the suffering brought about by poverty, loss, betrayal, persecution, or depression.
We can also offer our sufferings on behalf of those who are in need of God’s mercy and grace. Such act of faith and charity benefits our spiritual growth, helps us atone for our sins, brings hope and meaning to our own sufferings and contributes to the growth of Christ’s Kingdom on earth.
“By his passion and death on the cross Christ has given a new meaning to suffering: it can henceforth configure us to him and unite us with his redemptive passion.”
~ Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1505
But what if you are among the fortunate ones who do not suffer? Consider stepping out of your comfort zone and giving your resources generously to those in need, particularly those who cannot repay you. This includes your money, time, and effort. It is not always easy to give something of ourselves in this way. When we were kids, it was easier to give alms because we were just using our parents’ money. But as adults, it is much harder to part with our hard-earned money, especially if we are to give not from our surplus (Mark 12:44). The story of the poor widow who gave more than the wealthy and contributed all she had, two small coins, is a reminder that we should not just give to God what’s leftover.
It is difficult to do good works for they require us to put aside our own desires and preferences, sacrifice our own comfort and convenience, and focus on the needs of others. But it is through these actions that we can deepen our relationship with God and experience being disciples of Jesus Christ in its truest sense. We are called to imitate Christ through good works that bring hope and healing to those who are suffering. Therefore, we should not expect material rewards in this life for the sacrifices we continually offer, for God has promised to reward us in the next life in Heaven. This is what it means to take up our cross and follow Christ.
Spiritual harm on social media
So does bragging and oversharing on social media about our lives and materialistic interests a way to imitate Christ and demonstrate God’s love to our audience? Certainly not. In fact, it can lead us away from the path of righteousness and bring harm to ourselves and others. Anyone who disagrees and says otherwise is likely spiritually blind.
As Catholics, we are called to be humble and to focus on serving others whatever way we can, not on promoting ourselves. We should seek to imitate Jesus, who lived a life of selflessness and sacrifice. When we use social media to brag and overshare—oftentimes in the guise of merely “feeling blessed” and “thanking” the Lord—we are not letting God’s love be known to our audience, but rather, we are feeding our own pride and ego, seeking attention and validation.
Let us, therefore, strive to imitate Christ in all that we do, both online and offline. May our words and actions be a reflection of His love and mercy, and may they bring hope and healing to those around us.
Knowing Jesus Christ better through sufferings
If worldlings on social media, who present themselves as ‘Christians,’ truly know Jesus Christ, they would feel disturbed and uneasy about their insensitive posts, especially this time of Lent, and their support for posts that rave about sinful people and things. They would also find it unsettling that they have no sufferings or good works to offer.
But those of us who are willing to suffer with Jesus get to know Him better through sufferings. In the words of Saint Paul:
”I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”
~ Philippians 3:10-11
It is wonderful how Saint Paul the Apostle yearns to know Christ, not just in an intellectual sense, but in a way that involves a deep, personal relationship. This is a powerful message for all Catholics, as it reminds us that our faith is not just a matter of intellectual expression. Just because one attends and listens to a theological talk in Young Adult Night in that parish does not make him know Jesus. The Catholic Faith is a way of life—embracing the cross day-to-day and following Christ in all things. Our sufferings cultivate growth in our relationship with Jesus, and we know Him more and more profoundly as a result.
When the spiritual blindness is removed
On the day of the Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and other disciples of Jesus. This extraordinary experience transformed the apostles, including Peter, and it is believed that it removed any spiritual blindness he may have had. As Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, he gained new clarity and boldness in proclaiming the Gospel. Peter’s preaching was so powerful that many who heard him were “cut to the heart” and about three thousand were baptized that day (Acts 2:37; 41).
In order for worldlings, therefore, to be cured of spiritual blindness, they must first have the will to seek the cure, and with the help of God’s grace, they can find it.
Constant prayer and reception of the Sacraments, knowledge of the Scripture, and the guidance of a spiritual director, if available, are of great help in removing a person’s spiritual blindness. Sincere determination to incorporate these spiritual practices into one’s life can help open their eyes to the light of God’s love and the true meaning of the teachings of the Church. The removal of spiritual blindness will allow them to acknowledge the presence of God, discern His will and have the spiritual strength to live a virtuous and holy life.
What “feeling blessed” truly means
The Beatitudes proclaim that true blessedness is found in poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, hunger for righteousness, mercy, purity of heart, peacemaking, and persecution for the sake of Christ. These virtues are not of value to the secular world, which prizes wealth, power, and success, but they are the true marks of a disciple of Christ.
This is in contrast to the idea depicted by the social media that material blessings or worldly success are the measures and signs of true blessedness.
Similar to Catholic worldlings who lurk on social media, I’ve had my fair share of both scrumptious affordable eats and fancy expensive meals, and I always seem to have the latest gadgets on the market. I sometimes snap pics of myself whether I’m out and about on the weekend or just hanging at home. But I find those things too mundane and shallow to even post about. And most of all, showing them off is displeasing to God. Also, I still felt shallow and empty with those things at the end of the day. Because I found myself searching for the true presence of God and Our Mother, and welcoming Them in my life. The only thing that fills my emptiness is my relationship with Them. Through my spiritual journey, I have come to realize that truly knowing Jesus Christ and being “blessed” cannot be found in fleeting pleasures and emulating what the world wants people to see.
Many Catholic worldlings have made themselves the center of their lives. In their pursuit of pleasure and comfort, many have made God their servant, calling on Him only when they need something, remembering Him only when they ‘receive a blessing,’ while ignoring Him the rest of the time. Yes, they ‘remember’ Him like I said. But they ignore Who He really is and His will. They have forgotten that we are meant to serve God, not the other way around.
But the ones who are truly blessed are the servants of the Lord and Master Jesus Christ and Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary—who live a life of love, service and obedience to God’s will, repent for their sins, suffer with Him in the road to Calvary, die in state of grace and are united with Christ through faith and good works. These truly blessed will share in God’s glory in Heaven.
Conclusion
In the Transfiguration, we see a glimpse of the glory that awaits us in Heaven, but we also see the narrow path that leads to that glory: a path of suffering, sacrifice, and self-emptying love. Like Jesus Christ, we need to go through our own passion and death. But all of the pains and tears our earthly life has caused are only here to purify our souls and prepare us for the eternal joy of Heaven.
Saint Peter reminds us that sufferings are an expected part of life for faithful Catholics. But we will feel joy in our sufferings if we take them as a way to prepare for the glory of eternal life in Heaven.
“Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.”
~ 1 Peter 4:12-13
Life on earth is not an ‘adventure’ to be enjoyed. Only those worldlings, both believers and unbelievers of Jesus Christ, who belong to the earth say so. Faithful Catholics belong to God and the Blessed Mother. As St. Louis Marie Grignon de Montfort writes to Mother Mary, “Totus tuus ego sum et omnia mea tua sunt”—“I am totally yours and all that I have is yours.” Life in Heaven, in our future glorified bodies, is meant to be enjoyed—in Beatific vision, a state of perfect happiness and peace, along with all the true “blessed ones” or the saints, for all eternity. So endure everything, and it will be all worth it. Who knows what other surprises there will be in the New Jerusalem? As Saint Paul said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).
This Lent, let us take time to reflect and do penance, examine our conscience and make a renewed life commitment to follow Christ more closely. Let us not shy away from the crosses that come our way, but rather embrace them with courage and trust in God’s providence. We ask the Holy Spirit to help us gaze upon the Transfigured Christ with clear spiritual eyes, to see Him as our source of hope and strength, knowing that He has gone before us and prepared a place for us in His Father’s house.
Saint Peter the Apostle, San Pedro, pray for us!
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
Mama Mary, pray for us!
Amen.
She graduated cum laude from the University of Santo Tomas, the country's Pontifical and Catholic university, with an AB in Legal Management and minor units in Theology.
As an unmarried woman, prayer holds a central place in her daily life, with a focus on the Rosary and the Divine Office. Embodying her faith, she emphasizes the growth of her inner spiritual life, guided by the wisdom of Carmelite spirituality.
God manifested to her in a unique and radical manner, which made her know Who He truly is and led her to total surrender of her life to Him.
She has studied the Bible with her family, developing a particular fondness for the Old Testament.
Her adorable and intelligent toy poodle is a delightful companion in her daily life, bringing warmth and joy to her home.
Her hobbies include reading about everything, learning Japanese and German, listening to music and playing the flute.
In her leisure time, she enjoys gaming on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch OLED, Nintendo 3DS, iOS and OS, and collecting things related to PlayStation and Nintendo.
Email: [email protected]
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