Online Comments and Judgment Day – Nov 19 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr. Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Nov 19, 2025, on how the parable of the ten gold coins teaches that we are judged on our faith through good works, including the words we use online, urging us to speak with charity and respect.

Father begins by unpacking the parable of the ten gold coins, where our Lord judges the servants on their faithful use of the gifts entrusted to them, calling the fruitful ones good and the lazy one wicked. This illustrates that particular judgment weighs our works alongside faith—what good did we do? Did we embrace the Gospel and respond with charity, or squander opportunities? Father focuses on an often-overlooked work: our internet comments on platforms like YouTube and Facebook. Quoting Matthew 12:34-37, He reminds us that words from the heart's abundance will justify or condemn us on judgment day, as they either build God's kingdom or tear it down. St. Basil the Great calls words images of the soul, revealing true character, especially among Catholics who forget this online. Proverbs 18:21 declares life and death in the tongue's power, while St. Faustina warns sanctity requires guarding it. St. James in 3:8-10 decries the tongue as restless evil, mixing blessings and curses, and in 1:26 says unbridled speech makes religion worthless. Father notes the hypocrisy of pious prayers followed by hurtful posts—spiritual schizophrenia from unchecked passions. We're called to Christian witness everywhere, including digital spaces. St. Robert Bellarmine advises thinking beforehand with sound reason, charity, humility, and respect. St. Paul in Colossians 4:6 urges gracious speech "seasoned with salt," without exceptions for social media. St. John in 1 John 3:14 ties agape love—doing good to brothers—to passing from death to life. Father shares personal struggles with unkind words, now moderated by deleting disrespectful comments and praying for offenders, seeing caustic speech as a sign needing heart healing and conversion. He invites asking Our Lady for grace to speak wisely online.

For Further Reading —
Matthew 12:34-37 - Words reveal heart's abundance - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/12?34
Proverbs 18:21 - Tongue holds life and death - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/18?21
James 3:8-10 - Tongue's evil blessing cursing - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/3?8
James 1:26 - Bridle tongue for true religion - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/1?26
Colossians 4:6 - Gracious speech seasoned with salt - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/colossians/4?6
1 John 3:14 - Agape love passes from death - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/3?14
CCC 1803 - Guarding conscience against evil words - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a7.htm#1803
CCC 2477 - Respect truth in speech and charity - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a8.htm#2477
CCC 2488-2492 - Avoiding rash judgment in words - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a7.htm#IV
Ave Maria!

Mass: Wednesday 33rd Week of Ordinary Time - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/111925.cfm
1st: 2ma 7:1, 20-31
Resp: psa 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15
Gsp: luk 19:11-28

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1555

Also on Facebook:
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/mUxUn6laPY8