The late Archbishop Fulton Sheen was an articulate and eloquent speaker and preacher.
In fact, he was one of the pioneers of media evangelization.
But when he was in college, a debate coach told him that he was the worst speaker he had ever heard.
Well, Fulton Sheen proved him wrong.
And so did others like Ernest Hemmingway and Thomas Edison who proved their critics wrong.
Yet, there are also many others who were crushed and devastated by the criticisms against them.
And some don't recover from it.
Criticisms may not come with a sarcastic tone.
It may be just a jeer or a scorn, but it is as bad as a brawl and a shout.
In the gospel, we heard about the Pharisees criticizing and plotting against Jesus.
Yet, like how the prophet Isaiah prophesied: He will not brawl or shout; he will not break the crushed reed, not put out the smoldering wick till he has lead the truth to victory.
Let us turn to Jesus whenever we face criticisms or scorching remarks.
May the truth of His love lead us to rise about the criticisms and destructive judgments.
May we prove that the truth spoken with love is more powerful and creative than the harsh word that breaks and crushes people.
In fact, he was one of the pioneers of media evangelization.
But when he was in college, a debate coach told him that he was the worst speaker he had ever heard.
Well, Fulton Sheen proved him wrong.
And so did others like Ernest Hemmingway and Thomas Edison who proved their critics wrong.
Yet, there are also many others who were crushed and devastated by the criticisms against them.
And some don't recover from it.
Criticisms may not come with a sarcastic tone.
It may be just a jeer or a scorn, but it is as bad as a brawl and a shout.
In the gospel, we heard about the Pharisees criticizing and plotting against Jesus.
Yet, like how the prophet Isaiah prophesied: He will not brawl or shout; he will not break the crushed reed, not put out the smoldering wick till he has lead the truth to victory.
Let us turn to Jesus whenever we face criticisms or scorching remarks.
May the truth of His love lead us to rise about the criticisms and destructive judgments.
May we prove that the truth spoken with love is more powerful and creative than the harsh word that breaks and crushes people.