WORDS FROM FATHER YOHANES: Rediscovering Our True Gravity

By Father Yohanes Akoit

We are of course familiar with the law of gravitation. It is because we have learned about it in school. From that subject we learn that the law of gravity plays an important role in our life and in the entire universe. Through that subject we realize that every step we take on earth is nothing but the stabilization of the law of gravity. Without this force we could never stand or walk steadily. Even our weight, the way we walk, how our blood is pumped to the brain, and how bones and muscles develop are influenced by the law of gravity. We can clearly see the function of the law of gravity through those who are in space. Their muscles and bones weaken because the usual gravitational force is absent. This demonstrates that gravity is not an abstract concept, but it becomes the force that controls, stabilizes, and enables human beings to stand on earth.

Nowadays, the law of gravity has transformed. Social culture has derived the law of gravity into different forms. We can see the mechanism of gravity in social media, money matters, political identity, and specialization in science. Each aspect has become the law of gravity for its subscribers. People are really influenced by its effects. It entirely overwhelms the behavior and the way the subscribers act. People are divided according to the number of political parties. The ideology of each party becomes gravity that shapes the attitude and behavior of the subscriber. That gravity directs their way of life and thinking. It happens also to every nationality of those who live in the diaspora. The culture of their home nationality becomes gravity and even superior to the new nationality in which they now have their presence. We are also witnessing the most fantastic gravity called social media. It affects the life of everyone. The diction we choose for communication, the entertainment we select to ease ourselves, the fashion we wear, the food we eat, the issues we discuss, the means we use, our future plans, and more are directed and controlled by the gravity called the psychology of the market or capitalism. Everything we consume is a product that is prepared and advertised as essential for life. They are promoted as if they were our human needs.

Each of us has our own gravity in which we stand and act in life. There is no doubt about its significance and usefulness for our life. Nobody will deny it. But along with that positivity of each gravity, the Church, now in the time of the Lenten Season beginning with Ash Wednesday, is asking us to elevate the use of each gravity to its fullness and perfection. The elevation meant by the Church is not by massive use and propagation to get more subscribers. The Church promotes the absence of it and a time of break, just for social distancing. The main purpose is not to deny it but to regain our independence. To activate and sharpen our faculty to say no to the determination. The Church wants us to awake from our sleeping and not get hypnotized all the time. The Church points out to us that in the social context, we are the gravity itself and not the product. We are the persons who are supposed to say enough or even no to the products and trends of life. The Church gives us the inspiration from the independence of Jesus. He is able to say no to the persuading world or temptation (Matthew 4:1–11). The Church wants us to recharge our spirit in Christ, the spirit of wisdom and the ability to overcome our desire to be enslaved by products and consumerism.

Father Yohanes Akoit is pastor of St. Julian and St. Anthony Catholic

churches in Kentucky.