Readings: 1R Acts 1:15-17.20-26 RP Ps 102, 2R 1 Jn 4:11-16 G Jn 17:11b-19.
Sunday Synopsis
Our first reading recounts how Matthias was chosen to replace Judas who betrayed the Lord. The second reading invites us to love one another since God has loved us. In the gospel, Jesus consecrates himself and consecrates his disciples as well. Just as the disciples were concreted for missionary work, Jesus consecrates himself as a priest for heavenly sacrifice. On World Communication Sunday, Pope Francis enjoins us to enjoy the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI). However, he warns that it must not lead to social isolation, being like God without God, cognitive pollution with the stamp of false narratives or deep fake and group thinking which polarises public opinion.
Introduction
Friends in Christ, today is the Seventh Sunday of Easter and World Communications Sunday (WCS) – in his 58th World Communication Day message titled, “Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards a Fully Human Communication” the Holy Father lauds the contributions of Artificial Intelligence (AI) stressing that it enhances data storage, supports human thinking and facilitates communication. He, however, warns that it must not lead to social isolation, being like God without God, cognitive pollution with the stamp of false narratives or deep fake and group thinking which polarises public opinion. We shall review our readings before returning to lessons for WCS.
Background and Summary of the Readings
Our first reading (Acts 1:15-17) recounts how Matthias was chosen to replace Judas who betrayed the Lord. It tells how they apostles guided by Peter relied on the Holy Spirit to ensure there is no error in this choice.
The second reading (1 Jn 4:11-16) invites us to love one another since God has loved us. It insists that God is love and anyone who lives in love lives in God and God in him/her.
In the gospel (Jn 17:11b-19), Jesus consecrates himself and consecrates his disciples as well. In the Old Testament, persons were consecrated as prophets or kings. Animals too, were consecrated in sacrifice. So, just as the disciples were concreted for missionary work, Jesus consecrates himself as a priest for heavenly sacrifice.
Pastoral Lessons
- Rely on the Holy Spirit: Just as the early Church relied on the Holy Spirit before choosing Matthias, those in charge of formation must seek God’s intervention in helping young people discern their vocation to the priestly and religious life just as they decide the fate of the chosen.
- Love Others: In a cruel world where some people especially the homebound, the sick and those living with disability feel isolated or abandoned, the second reading challenges us to love unconditionally towards making the world, a better place.
- Be Consecrated: By consecrating himself, Jesus invites leaders to consecrate themselves in truth to guide their flock to green pastures.
- Value the Human Person: In a world of AI, Pope Francis warns that we must not reduce the human person to data or reducing thinking to mechanical processes.
- Avoid Group Think: We are charged to avoid group think and invited to counter misinformation while upholding the truth.
Summary Lines
- Our first reading recounts how Matthias was chosen to replace Judas who betrayed the Lord.
- The second reading invites us to love one another since God has loved us.
- It insists that God is love and anyone who lives in love lives in God and God in him/her.
- In the gospel, Jesus consecrates himself and consecrates his disciples as well. In the Old Testament, persons were consecrated as prophets or kings.
- Just as the disciples were concreted for missionary work, Jesus consecrates himself as a priest for heavenly sacrifice
Conclusion
Media workers and Directors of Social Communications are urged to use this occasion to advance the course of human communication amid an AI evolution. According to The Pontifical Academy for Life’s 2020 Declaration, this entails ensuring transparency, accountability, inclusion, impartiality, reliability, security and privacy. May the wounds created by the barriers to communication in the Church and in our relationship with others be healed through Jesus, the perfect communicator. Happy WCD!
