Chain Messages

“… this letter was written by Saint … please don’t break the chain. Send to 20 people in one day or you will have bad luck for 20 years…”

 Chain messages come daily in mobile phones when in the past they were sent through the snail mail. The sender do not usually write their names.

Always, these messages would wish you well at the beginning then it will explain where it started or who started it but in the end you will read that you are doomed  if you do not do what is asked of you. It ranges from losing a job, getting sick, losing a loved  one or worse you will lose your life… if you do not beat the deadline stated in the message.

Since childhood, we were made to believe that OUR GOD is a God of mercy, a happy God, the God of LOVE… and thus He will stay forever. My late grandmother, Francisca,(father side) will tell us stories about how God does something good to the people even if they fell short of His expectations sometimes. My late grandmother, Fausta (mother side) will often remind us that God never fails a trusting soul even in times when the person questions ‘why.’

Every celebration that the Christians are about to enjoy will have before it the chain messages sent to all the  mobile phone users. Who sends these? None can tell but maybe good-meaning friends wish to grab the ‘good luck’ it contains. Problem is, these well wishers also forget that not every friend they have, own their time always because they might be busy in their jobs or that they may not have enough money to e-load their phones. So? That becomes the big question. What if the pal who receives  it cannot spread the message? Will the person take all the brunt of the bad luck? Too bad… it's so harsh!

Contrary to what is embodied in the chain messages that bad luck will befall to the non-believer ( that will be too shallow,) God is not at all that punitive. If He is, then He will be doing the punishment  to all of us because we are never perfect and not one of us is morally better than anyone that a mere chain message can bring us misfortune.

The whole Christendom celebrates the Paschal mystery in the Holy Mass because the salvation that everyone aspires is commemorated. So many chain messages are being sent through the cyberspace as well and inboxes of the mobile phones crowd with them. May we not forget the Power that our God possesses, His unending kindness, endless love and unquenchable mercy.

May the friends who are so fond of chain messages be reminded too that  we must be discerning in forwarding messages to our friends. Think about this:

If the message can’t make a good day for you, why give a bad day to others?