Influencers

Homily for Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

The reading that we hear from the Hebrew Scriptures today is one of many which tends to upset people of our times. We do not like to read of treachery, treason, kidnapping, and murder and often times wonder why such readings are included in God’s word.

If Athaliah were alive in our own times, we have to admit that she might just fit in rather well with the actions that we see surrounding us. At the same time, most of us would look at her as the antithesis of today’s Gospel message. However, society today is filled with people who have been named “influencers.” These young people have been sponsored by various products, fads, actions, and ideas that appear on social media. They attain multitudes of followers and use their celebrity status to bolster interest in their sponsor’s product. If you have ever used something called YouTube on your computer, these are the people who are constantly asking you to subscribe, like, and hit the bell on their site. Each individual who does so becomes one of their followers. Once they have garnered 200,000 followers, YouTube begins to pay them for their influencer status.

Many have become role models for others, especially for young people. For some they are idols, and their influence encourages meaningless, passing fads. Some even fill the minds of young people with ideas that directly blocks a saintly way of life, leading many of them astray. Others have opened minds to goodness (in health, physical fitness, or spirituality) and have helped people grow.

St. Aloysius Gonzaga is a perfect example of a true influencer. Patron saint of Catholic youth, teens, and seminarians, he turned away from a life of wealth and power in the 16^th century, joining the seminary at a young age and devoting his short life to the Lord. He practiced penance in many different ways and truly realized what real treasure was. He knew it was not to be found here on earth; real treasure was kept behind the gates of heaven with the Lord.

The Lord has so much to offer us: love, truth, light, warmth, comfort, relief – his gifts are endless. While we try to attain material goods to feel fulfilled here on earth, they will never compare to the intangible treasures Christ has in store for us. We must make the sacrifices now in order to experience true fulfillment after death.