The Homily Inspired By “Careless Whisper”

Prolegomenon: While working on my Homily about Pornography and Sex Scandals last Thursday evening, My Yahoo Launch Cast played “Careless Whisper” by Wham…What a coincidence! Wahahahaha! (”,)

Homily
Novena Mass for Our Lady of Mount Carmel
July 10, 2009

Good morning brothers and sisters in Christ!

How do you define a scandal?

If we go back to its etymology, scandal came from the Greek word, “skandalon” meaning “stumbling block” which originated from a trap with a springing device, like those being used in order to get rid of nasty rats and mice that pester one’s household. In the course of time, this word underwent a series of drastic change wherein the supposedly functional connotation turned out to be “a discredit caused by irreligious conduct” or a “ground for offense or temptation”. What seemed to be a modest term became a principle of cause and effect due to one’s immorality. Now, the word scandal can be understood as a “malicious gossip”, a sense of person whose conduct is a disgrace, or a sense of shock by doing something improper.

Lately, the word scandal has become synonymous to an unlikely nuance. Despite its negative undertone, the term assumed a “glorified” reputation because it has greatly involved the masses. Whenever you hear the word “scandal” nowadays, it is no longer associated with shame or disgrace, for it has become a generic trade name for those digital video discs being sold along street corners, with peddlers greeting the passer bys in a seemingly polite and courteous manner, but later on would entice them to get inside their respective booths because they have a wide collection of x-rated, porno flicks and of course, the infamous scandal videos.

Allow me to share to you my personal experience.

When I was still a seminarian, I happened to pass by an isolated street of Iloilo City. As I hurriedly crossed the pedestrian lane in order to catch up with my sister’s lunch break, a man with a long beard, probably in his late forties approached and asked me whether I am interested to buy his DVDs. I told him that I was in a hurry during that time, but he insisted that I should take a peek, as he showed me the contents of his large plastic bag. He told me in a very convincing voice, “Hindi ka anay bala maglakat ‘to kay wala mo pa gani makita ang collection ko. May mga DVD ako diri nga x-rated basi gusto mo magbakal, ari ho, damo ako sang mga scandal!” (In Tagalog: “Huwag ka munang umalis Totoy, kasi hindi mo pa nakikita yung collection ko. May mga DVD akong X-rated baka gusto mong bumili, eto o, marami akong scandal!”) To be honest, there was a struggle in my part, whether I should stay and look at his wide collection of porno flicks out of curiosity or to turn my back at him and walk away out of self-respect. Nevertheless, the circumstance impelled me to ignore him for the fear that my sister would leave me if I don’t reach her office on time. I had to say “Sa sunod na lang Nong kay nagadali gid ako!” (In Tagalog: “Sa susunod na lang po Kuya, nagmamadali po talaga ako!”) leaving him dazed and confused because I did not actually give a concrete response to his invitation. It was not clear though on his part whether I said an absolute “no” as my blatant refusal for his offer or I was just delaying my own gratification, saving my intent for our next meeting, well, probably, at the same street and at the same time soon. Pero mayo lang kay sa kaluoy sang Dios, wala ko na siya makita liwat kay basi may posibilidad nga nakabakal gid man ako (In Tagalog: Buti na lang at sa awa ng Dios, hindi ko na siya nakita ulit nung dumaan ako sa eskinitang iyon dahil baka bumili na ako) given the chance that we crossed paths again. Looking back at my experience, I figured out that pornography has become a commodity for it has been a part of commerce and trade, beguiling one’s senses through sensuality and perversion. Producing and selling a porn flick or a sex scandal video to unsuspecting individuals are eventually teaching them how to patronize a culture of distortion, and in this trade, there will always be an oppressor and the oppressed, a victimizer and the victimized. Pornography is creating a mindset to humankind that sex is not sacred, but just for fun, for play, for physical release, for showing off, or for any of a host of other human emotions and expressions that are often attached to sexuality.

Perhaps, to some of us who are present here, the Hayden Kho- Katrina Halili Sex Scandal is not yet buried from our consciousness and deliberation because until now, it is still a subject of discussions and arguments, exhausting our comprehension and logic on who is really telling the truth, or who is really the victim of this brouhaha. In fact, the issue has created a cult following among Filipinos, putting malice to every object (bandana, black and blue underwear, “Careless Whisper”?) that reminded them of that ill-famed video scene where two individuals perversely danced their night away to that sexually stimulating saxophone intro of the song that brought them into the scarlet oblivion. Pardon me for my exaggerated imagery but I’m trying my very best not to be vulgar while articulating what actually happened according to reports seen on the television, heard on the radio, and published in newspapers. Regardless of who is really innocent and who deserves to be acquitted among protagonists turning defendants, this issue that was sensationalized by media is just a part and parcel of the whole system of Pornography and we know for sure that dealing with a systemic problem is a formidable task.

According to the recent world statistics, (I only got the 2006 census, my figures stand corrected) around $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography, from 28,258 Internet users who are viewing pornographic videos and from 372 Internet users who are typing adult terms and sites into search engines every second. In United States alone, a new pornographic video is being created in 39 seconds, making them as the number one porn video producers. Thus, in a document issued by U.S. Bishops, they attributed this growing industry to a misguided permissiveness based on the premises of artistic license and free speech that uses the various media more to exploit and degrade human sensitivities than to uplift them. They go on to say that Pornography, the use of visual or print media to present nudity and sexual activity in a degrading and depersonalizing way, often preys upon the most vulnerable in our society. Women, children and men all too often are portrayed as objects of disposal of the sexual lust or violent actions of others. Children, too can find ready access to materials that may warp their view of men and women, of sexuality, and of the mutual love and responsibility that rightly ought to accompany sexual intimacy. The bishops conclude by urging all those engaged “in making or transmitting products of communications to accept their access to the airwaves and to the public as societal trust” so that their art or craft will not be motivated by the profit motive alone or by the principle of supply and demand. At the same time, the bishops have reminded that the consumers should have special duties in discerning the selection of media for themselves and for those entrusted to them.

Now we ask ourselves, what is the connection of Pornography to our theme: Mary and the Filipino Woman, Hope of the Filipino Nation? I believe that it has something to do with our relationship with Mary and our relationship with the women in our lives, say our mothers, our sisters, and for those who are married, your wives and your daughters. This relationship should have a solid foundation in trust, deference and respect. In a culture where men tend to have more power than women and women are more vulnerable than men, great care will be needed to provide an adequate context for the expression of sexuality. We have been told that one of the most celebrated virtues of Mary is her purity. She had lived a chaste life without jeopardizing her role as a caring mother to Jesus Christ and a faithful wife to Saint Joseph. This virtue should also be imitated by a typical modern Filipina in her quest of finding meaning and relevance in this seemingly changing world. Professor Mark Lowery, Ph.D., an associate professor of Theology at the University of Dallas, made a compelling remark about purity in an article that he wrote. He said that our Catechism notes that the pure of heart are those who ‘have attuned their intellects and will to the demands of God’s holiness, chiefly in three areas: charity, chastity or sexual rectitude, love of truth and orthodoxy of faith’ (2518). We most often think of purity as connected to the area of sexuality, and rightly so; sexuality is so central to our humanity that impurity in that area is not uncommon. Hence, the Catechism mentions it specifically as the second of the three key areas of purity. But note that the first area is ‘charity,’ and this area is far-reaching. Charity here refers to God’s love poured into our hearts by which we are capable of loving ourselves and loving others. Loving ourselves means being concerned about our final beatific end, and ordering our lives in light of that end. Loving our neighbors as ourselves means being as concerned about the rest of the community reaching their final goal as we are about ourselves reaching it. Hence, charity is all-encompassing, and as the first of three areas to which the virtue of purity is pertinent, it suggests that a pure heart must accompany all our actions. Purity concerns not only unchaste sexual thoughts but thoughts of envy, greed, covetousness, pride, and so on. Such thoughts compete with God for our loyalty, and hence we need to be vigilant over them lest they gradually possess us, taking priority over God.” These things were undoubtedly seen in the Blessed Mother because her purity meant that everything about her was filled with divine grace. She had this beatific vision of God because she already saw him and believed while she was here on earth, in the person of her beloved Son, Jesus Christ. The Ever-Virgin Mary was and remains pure in charity, chastity and love of truth and orthodoxy of faith. And that purity is “divine” because it is inspired by God, imitates His purity and leads to Him.

Therefore, as we combat Prostitution with our entire will and determination, we have to bear in mind that it is not just an issue of sexuality or continence of the flesh, but of charity, kindness and compassion to the human person. Ano ayhan ang pamatyag nyo kung sa sining mga scandal nga ginabaligya kag ginatan-aw sang kadam-an, matalupangdan ninyo nga kabahin gali ang inyo bata, utod, ukon paryente? (In Tagalog: “Ano kaya ang mararamdaman ninyo kung sa mga scandal na nabibili at napapanood ng karamihan ay kasama pala ang inyong anak, kapatid o kamag-anak?”) The more we keep ourselves away from its preying hands, the more we gain charity in the giving of ourselves. The more we show respect in dealing with our brothers and sisters, the more we profess love for truth and loyalty to faith. As we continue with our celebration, may the spotlessness of Mary’s heart inspire us to abandon ourselves to God as she did, as we open ourselves to fresh opportunities of achieving the purity of body, mind and heart as we respond to the various signs of the times. Let us all stand.

i Quoted from Lebacqz
ii Quoted from Monsignor Charles M. Mangan of Catholic Online

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