FRC 2021 Day 3: Fear not the wolves, for we are lambs of God – bearers of faith and truth

by Paul Marquis Garcia

Dominicans continue to prove the strength of their faith and devotion with 3rd day of FRC theme as "𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮: 𝗛𝘂𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗯 𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮." The spirit of unity and truth flows in the celebration as Rev. Fr. John Patrick G. Gumasing, mass presider, invited attendees to be lambs amidst a world of wolves.

Today, the plague of falsehood and chaos grows nonstop as false information/fake news, scandals, and trolls continue to spread in our community. Fr. Gumasing described those who disseminate dishonesty as "wolves," using their power to inflict pain and disaster to the weak.

In the first reading, the priest Ezra expressed himself to the Israelites through the word of God. His words struck those who listened, and they came home preaching the lord filled with joy. Fr. Gumasing reminded FRC attendees to follow the example of Ezra and be like lambs, sent to be good teachers of faith. We shall not fear the wolves, for we are called and empowered to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God. No lies can harm our faith if we accept to be messengers of the truth.

Furthermore, Fr. Gumasing encouraged Dominicans to love one another and work together. He reminded that God sent his lambs in pairs, for we cannot fight the wolves alone. In every battle we face and every problem we carry, we must always have someone to lean on. We must love our family and our community because even the most powerful enemies cannot defeat those who are united by love.

"Alone we can do little. Together we can do so much", Fr. Gumasing said.

We, together as lambs of God and followers of Jesus, are called to be the preachers of faith. We are all challenged to be the bearers of good news in deepening each other’s faith and propagating the words of truth to the world.