For us Christians, in the history of salvation, God directly communicated the truth with us. He came to meet His people, living in the world by taking up human body, so that His people can experience through the senses to know that truth for themselves. God has come to meet us human beings in reality, spending time with and listen to our life’s stories. He presented the teachings of truth from living with His people.
“Come and see” (John 1:46) The first words Jesus spoke to his disciples who want to know about Him after being baptized in the Jordan River, He began his mission of preaching the good news of truth. Come and see, a short word but implies meaning that challenge us to dedicate ourselves and calls us to go out and encounter peoples as they really are.
Although the present reality of Covid 19 pandemic situation forces us in quarantine to stop the infection and reduce the spread of virus, it does not mean to quarantine our hearts and our good will to come out and see the needs of our fellow brothers and sisters in adversity. Let us open our hearts to go out and listen to the suffering of our fellow brothers and sisters who are more in need than we are.
In today’s world, the Internet became a powerful mean of communication that gives us the opportunity to see the information presented to us on the screen. At the same time, it gives us the opportunity to report what we see happening right before our eyes and can convey that truth to society. But be careful! the truth that we present may be edited, modified, distorted for other purposes. It is necessary for us to see, discern and act with prudence.
On the occasion of the 55th World Communications Day, I, as an in charge of the Catholic social communication of Thailand invite you, in addition to praying for those who work in the field of social communication, and all those who use these means to creatively present the truth, so that they can be heralds of good news. May all of us be an instrument to communicate peace to our fellow brothers and sisters by thought, word and deed.
Bishop Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil
Chairman of the Episcopal commission for social communication of Thailand.