If you ever need proof of human gullibility, cast your mind
back to the attack of the flesh-eating bananas. In January 2000, a series of
chain emails began reporting that imported bananas were infecting people with “necrotizing
fasciitis” – a rare disease in which the skin erupts into livid purple boils
before disintegrating and peeling away from muscle and bone. According to the email chain, the FDA was
trying to cover up the epidemic to avoid panic. Faced with the threat, readers
were encouraged to spread the word to their friends and family.
Of course, the threat was pure nonsense. But by January 28th,
the concern was great enough for the US Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention to issue a statement decrying the rumor. Did it help?
Rather than quelling the rumor, they had only poured fuel on the flames.
Within weeks, the CDC was hearing from so many distressed callers it had to set
up a banana hotline. The facts became so distorted that people eventually
started to quote the CDC as the source of the rumor.[1]
The world, and the individuals in it, are a mixture of good
and evil. “Let them grow together until harvest.” (Mt 13:30) the Master said. The
weeds, the wheat and the gullible. Setting up today’s Gospel explanation of the
Parable of the Weeds. “The Son of Man will send his angels” (Mt 13:41). Jesus
is saying, God will sort things out in the end. In the meantime, we are not to
assume the role of judges because we cannot tell the weeds from the wheat.[2]
Election season seems to get harder and harder for people.
People who truly desire to cast their vote for the person who they believe has
the best interest of our nation and is most closely aligned with Gospel values
and the moral and social justice teaching of the Church. Often, we discover within ourselves warring
spirits, because there just isn’t the perfect candidate who fits perfectly all our
ideals. Some of our brothers and sisters can get very passionate about which
side of the fence they camp and the vigor in which they attempt to pursue
others to join them.
The Catholic bishops of the United States are offering the
Catholic faithful a teaching document on the political responsibility of
Catholics called, “Forming
Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.” The document urges us to be engaged
in the political process, with an fully informed consciences and it provides suggestions
on how to contribute to civil and respectful public dialog.[3]
Let’s ask the Lord to take possession of our ‘field’ – our heart and our life – so that we may not be gullible to ‘the evil ones’ power to deceive. To let our unique light shine in the world, just like “the righteous who shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” That we may develop an informed conscience and a discerning spirit this election year.
[1] BBC, Future. “Why are people so
incredibly gullible?” by David
Robson, March 24, 2016.
[3] United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Forming Consciences
for Faithful Citizenship
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