In matters of opinion

Fr. Roy Cimagala

WE have to play it cool when we discuss matters of opinion. These, in the first place, are views that are hardly based on absolute truths of faith and dogmas. They are more expressions of one’s preferences and tastes, and therefore we should expect a wide spectrum of differences, since things depend on people’s different temperaments, backgrounds, cultures, etc.

Yes, we can have some exchanges and try to sort out these different and even conflicting opinions if only to clarify things and perhaps to eke out a most fair view with respect to a particular issue. We can attempt to have a kind of consensus.

But all these should be done in an atmosphere of mutual respect and utmost charity and delicacy. We have to avoid bitter zeal, sarcasm, irony, insults, ad hominems, mockery, vulgarity, nitpicking, fault-finding, one-upmanship, the crab mentality and the like.

In our discussions, let’s see to it that we try our best to see and understand why the others have views that are different and even conflicting to ours. We have to know where they are coming from.

Let’s be conscious of the most subtle trick to impose our opinions on others by asking questions or clarifying based only on our biases and preferences. I must say that in this regard, many people fail to realize. This usually happens in the area of political issues.

And that’s why, very often the discussion turns into wrangling, bashing and slamming. It becomes ugly and unproductive. We have to learn the art of agreeing to disagree, and manage to leave the hot discussion as friends and gentlemen. In this way, we can maintain a certain unity among ourselves despite the wide diversity.

Even in matters of faith and dogma where our core and most sacred beliefs are involved, we should not impose ourselves on others. We can proclaim our beliefs and we can do it as forcefully as possible, but still always in the context of charity.

We have to follow what St. Paul once said—that we have to speak the truth in charity so that “we will in all things grow up into Christ himself, who is the head of the body, the Church.” (Eph 4,15)

In the end, to be like Christ, “alter Christus,” if not “ipse Christus,” is our ultimate goal.

And if we look closely at the example of Christ, he was always open to anything even as he proclaimed the truth which is not anymore a matter of opinion. He showed utmost fidelity to his mission without twisting people’s arms, much less, spewing threats.

In the end, he accepted death which can only mean that he bore all the sins, mistakes, faults, and all the other negatives of men. He offered not only understanding but also forgiveness.

We have to learn how to be sport and cool in our exchanges of opinions. We need to rein in our emotions and have a clear vision of the ideal that we have to live in these discussions. Charity should always prevail, because the truth, justice and all the other values we are interested in would lose their essence if charity is absent.

And charity here can only come from the charity of God as revealed to us and lived fully by Christ.

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Evangelizing at scale. The task of evangelization is a constant and abiding one.

Every person has to be evangelized. Everyone situation can be and should be an occasion for evangelization. Evangelization is not optional. It is a necessity.

The basis for this assertion is nothing less than the marching orders Christ gave his apostles before he went up to heaven: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mk 16,15) These words are also meant for us, since Christ’s redemptive mission has to go on until the end of time, this time with our cooperation.

We have to understand that the gospel is the living word of God that would make Christ, the fullness of God’s revelation to us, alive in our lives. It is imperative, therefore, that the gospel be spread around as widely as possible with the view of making everyone to live according to it. And that’s simply because Christ is the pattern of our humanity, and the redeemer of our fallen humanity.

We should always feel the necessity and urgency of this duty. If at the moment we still feel cold toward it, now can be the time to work out such vivid awareness of this duty. It’s never too late to do so.

To carry out this duty well, we need to be always attentive to God’s will and word, on the one hand, and the conditions of the people we have to evangelize, on the other. We act like middlemen who try to look for ways to let God reach his people, vice-versa.

This is where we can talk about the need to learn how to evangelize at scale, that is, in a manner that is attuned to how the people can receive God’s word effectively. Things have to be adapted to their level of understanding, without compromising the integrity of the faith. They need to get in touch with God on an inclined plane.

The usual problem we encounter in pursuit of evangelization is that the doctrine of our faith is usually transmitted in a manner that is over the head of the people. Because of this, people get turned off rather than motivated to know, love and live the doctrine.

In this regard, we cannot overemphasize the need to truly know God by praying, getting to know him intimately, studying the doctrines of our faith which is not simply a matter of putting them into rote memory but rather of discerning the living spirit behind them. In that way, we can get to know God vitally, not just mechanically.

This will obviously involve the constant exercise of our faith, hope and charity and the other virtues that go into developing a vibrant piety. God is, of course, supernatural par excellence, and so we cannot dare to know him completely. But that incompleteness should spur us, rather than hinder us, to know him better and better everyday.

With respect to knowing the people as they are, we cannot overemphasize the need to always be with them, one way or the other, if not physically, then mentally, emotionally, socially, or spiritually.

We should try our best to deal with them as closely as possible. And if possible, we should try to gain their friendship and confidence. If not, we can always use the new technologies to somehow complement or supplement what may be lacking in having a direct personal contact with them.

E-mail: roycimagala@gmail.com