EDUCATORS’ EFFORTS to adapt to the youth’s decreasing attention span should not come at the cost of truth and reflection, a prelate said.
In his homily during this year’s Misa de Apertura, San Pablo Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit, Jr. said the mission of teachers take on a “renewed urgency” as the faith of young people weakens due to online culture.
“We know that today, we face a world with new challenges. A digital age that favors speed over reflection. Everything is so fast, in fact, the ability to listen supposedly gets shorter and shorter,” Maralit said on Tuesday, Aug. 5.
“We are now in a world where culture questions absolute truths. Knowing the truth is now often being blurred by realities, based on our subjective caprices. We are now in a world where the truth is battered, violated.”
Maralit called on Catholics to stand for the truth, which he said should be objective, in charity, universal and divine.
Recalling a conversation with a psychologist, the prelate said education should be made more interesting instead of simply shorter to appeal to the younger generation.
Maralit described the youth as “burdened with distractions and misinformation,” for which the University must create an environment for meaningful learning and critical thinking.
“They say life is easier now, but how does it seem like more are experiencing problems? In this context, from today’s gospel readings, I would like to remind your August institution of your mission because your mission takes on renewed urgency,” he said.
Maralit reminded Thomasians of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that can aid them in sharing the truth about Jesus Christ even if it subjects them to scrutiny.
“That’s why when we ask the Spirit to come, it is because we believe that what the Spirit provides is what we need when we teach, [such as] wsdom. Basically, wisdom is the courage to search for truth even when it is unpopular,” he said.
“Counsel, fortitude: these are the gifts that make our decisions with integrity and let us stand for what is right, especially when it costs us something.”
Citing Pope Leo XIV’s message to Catholic social media influencers during the recent youth jubilee, Maralit urged UST administrators and faculty members to not just teach, but also encounter and engage in dialogue with their students.
“To our dear faculty and administrators, let me remind you that today’s meetings and classes remind you that you are not just architects of the culture within these walls. You have a mission. It may be a labor, but it goes beyond the lesson plans and syllabi,” Maralit said.
“You want to be kind to your students? Let them know the truth, that is our collective vocation to form minds and hearts in the light of veritas, the truth. which is ultimately Lord Jesus Christ,” he added.
The Misa de Apertura, which was held at the Santisimo Rosario Parish, marked the beginning of the University’s annual opening exercises. It precedes the academic year’s first lecture, the Discurso de Apertura.
The much-awaited freshmen Roarientation and Thomasian Welcome Walk will take place the following day. F
