God on Facebook and Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve

First of all, a confession: this is not a call to arms (or post) to change the world though I'd be tickled pink if I can do exactly that. You can find a gazillion articles online on that. Though this post is more like a monologue or self-talk judging by the number (yeah, low) of readers of this blog, I am writing also for anyone like me who sometimes struggles on this particular issue.

I often ask myself: why bother posting about how wonderfully good God is in a virtual world that has everything from a beautifully polished nail to irreverent photos of the dead? Sometimes you will find yourself wondering also, especially if some of your more saintly friends are laying low or have a busier and active lives to live extra-digital that they're almost non-existent on FB.

Is it okay to praise God and express your reflections on Facebook and other social media?


Go ahead, you can 


Okay, what's the shortest and vague post you've read?  Out of 10 posts you read everyday, how many can make a significant impact on your life? My point is not that a photo of McDonald's spaghetti or somebody's bored doggie is silly and shouldn't occupy your FB space at all. (Believe me, these can brighten your day in ways unimaginable sometimes). What I'm trying to say is that others are posting anything they fancy.  So surely you can post a thing or two about today's answered prayers or touching homily, right?

Free will is in effect here, you know. Don't forget, you're in the company of friends. Not everyone may have the same faith as yours but anyone can disagree and "unlike" (silently, I hope...and if ever publicly, may they be gentle and kind).

The SMS revolution started it and now it's stronger than ever - the power to put your thoughts in this tiny little box that you push by pushing Post. Even the word Share now has another meaning. No need to tease friends with "a penny for my thoughts" because they can (instantly and without hesitation) tell you what they think and feel at any moment. Thanks to cellphone cameras and Net-ready cellphone, they can do this anywhere, anytime and have neat images to prove it too.

So, if you feel in your heart how grateful you are for today and how loving God is then go ahead, post it.

Keep on doing it...you should


What about posting off-season? You know, what if it's not Christmas nor Easter? In fact, you're in the middle of summer and there are posts about beaches, movie releases, vacations...tall glasses of drinks with tiny umbrellas.  You found this great video about the joys of being young but not doing pre-marital sex. Should you post it?  How about a link to a nice little photo that says God forgives or let's all pray for world peace?

I don't have the statistics on suicide on Facebook or YouTube but we all agree that one incident is downright alarming. When one is so depressed and thinking horrible thoughts a cover photo of bikini-clad tourists in Boracay (even if these are our very good friends) doesn't work; neither does a Bruno Mars video. At any given instant, there is a possibility that you can save a life or light a candle on the dark night of one soul with a post about the gift of life despite its quirks and how Jesus can turn a person's life around. (I don't mean to say that some of our friends have the tendency; I'm saying not everyday is a happy day and for any kind of day, a friend may be logging in on Facebook.)

But what about the posts you read? Should you start de-friending those that do not "talk your talk" or post your post?


Oh what about it? What's the point of sending positive and holy vibes on the Net if you're turning your back on your friends? Good for me I think I have the best set there is (smiling now); this is not a problem at all.  I'm not saying though that I like every little bit of things they say and do. I can only say they are probably the most liberal-minded Facebook buddies one can find and Oh such diversity. I must make an important statement here: these are my friends that I really care for and I'm always interested in what they're doing or thinking or feeling. I'm sure you feel the same. And this is the best reason why you and I should continue sharing our prayers, our joys and stories of everyday miracles with them.

The truth is, you should extend your friendship to as many people as possible. Now, more than ever, every person with an online presence can have a significant impact on another person online. We can share info and experiences that others can hear, watch and read in an instant. If it's quite unimaginable for you to walk on the streets and say to the person walking beside you how infinitely precious he is in the eyes of God, now thanks to the Internet you can do so with just a few clicks of the mouse and a few keystrokes.

Can you and I make a difference?

Yes, we can. Every kind of intent that you have, whether you want to start a war, make peace or just want to share a little of yourself (and your cute little kitten) matters. If this is not the case, Facebook and other social media are humongously ridiculous. Now, you and I know too well how important it is that we do what we do with LOVE. That's the ultimate Terms and Conditions or policy in one word. Everything is packed tightly in love coz after all, God is love. (No matter how corny this phrase may sound, even any effort to disagree is possible only because God is.)

Finally, a word about our Sponsor.

Talking about where to talk about God is really silly. Is God inside the church only? God is up close and personal  and everywhere (analog or digital), the same Supplier of energy that fuels every movement of bodies (yours, mine, everyone else's) and every movement of bits and bytes inside this computer. The clump of cells called fingers that are yours, the eyes that see, and the mind that reads this post - all these are ultimately from God and none are truly mine or yours.