"I cannot comprehend how any man can want anything but the truth."

"Each one of you has to be God's microphone. Each one of you has to be a messenger, a prophet. The church will always exist as long as there is someone who has been baptized... Where is your baptism? You are baptized in your professions, in the fields of workers, in the market. Wherever there is someone who has been baptized, that is where the Church is. There is a prophet there. Let us not hide the talent that God gave us on the day of our baptism and let us truly live the beauty and responsibility of being a prophetic people." - Oscar A. Romero: (1917 – 24 March 1980: was a prelate of the Catholic Church in El Salvador, who served as the fourth Archbishop of San Salvador. He spoke out against poverty, social injustice, assassinations, and torture. In 1980, Romero was assassinated while offering Mass in the chapel of the Hospital of Divine Providence.)

Gospel Text: (LK 12:8-12)

Jesus said to his disciples:
"I tell you,
everyone who acknowledges me before others
the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.
But whoever denies me before others
will be denied before the angels of God.

"Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,
but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will not be forgiven.
When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities,
do not worry about how or what your defense will be
or about what you are to say.
For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say."

Our lives as Christians have become more challenging, more complicated and even confused, with the plurality of messages in widespread media. Media in its varying forms is a very powerful tool in communicating messages which are received consciously and even unconsciously. Media can be a great vehicle for good; it can also be a great and effective vehicle to deliver false messages and values.

With the advent of modern technology and modernism, we get easily swayed by pleasure-seeking activities and self-serving culture. It is so easy to choose for comfort and greater convenience. It is so easy to forego Sunday mass and various religious activities because we are so busy with business, professional pursuits and pleasurable activities.

Media can be such a powerful tool for good or for evil. Though we know that morality is not determined by surveys and polls, our behavior can be so easily affected by what others and the world consider worthwhile and important.

In the Gospel reading today from Mass Jesus tells his audience that witnessing to him and Gospel values could bring many difficulties and opposition, even trials and persecution. He assures us of his continuing support and assistance:

 "Don't worry about how you will defend yourself or what to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you have to say."