ALIBI

Tuesday in the 5th Week of the Ordinary Time
Mk 7:1-13

Alibi, according to the English dictionary, is an excuse, especially a poor and flimsy excuse. An alibi is given when threatened and cornered by the truth. It is a defense mechanism. We do not need an alibi if we are constantly and consistently truthful, do we?

We give alibis for almost anything. We use almost anything as an alibi. Sadly, sometimes, we use people as alibis. Worst, consciously or unconsciously, we use God as an alibi. This was the contention of Jesus against the Pharisees in the Gospel today. The Pharisees would always have an alibi to suit their ways and still felt righteous before God and man. They would give alibis instead of the truth. Oftentimes, we are not any better than the Pharisees.

Why do we miss Sunday Mass? Because we there is so much chores to be done at home or elsewhere. Alibi. But there are Masses every hour on Sundays, and there is even a vigil Masses on Saturday or what we commonly call “Anticipated Sunday Masses”. Why do we not attend Mass in our own parish church? Because the parish church is quite far from our residence. Alibi. Is not the Mass a sacrifice, not merely a meal? Pope Benedict XIII expresses that we seem to have forgotten the sacrificial aspect of our Sunday fellowship. Why do we seldom go to confession and yet profess that we love Jesus? Many reason out that priests who hear confession and absolve sin are sinners like the rest of humanity. Alibi. Who says the priests are not sinners anyway, and yet they have been entrusted by the Lord with the precious gift of forgiving their fellow sinners in His name? Why are we rather slow in helping the Church in her financial needs? Because the Church is already rich, many say. Alibi. But are we not the Church? Why do we not give alms? Because giving alms teaches the beggar to be lazy. Alibi. God gives us our daily bread; does He make us lazy? Why do we not have the time to stop and talk with or listen to, much less to at least smile at, a stranger or even a friend? Because time is of essence, we sometimes reason out. Alibi. Time is indeed of essence but it is people who are truly essential. Why do some priests vehemently attack the discipline of celibacy? Because some of them claim that celibacy violates their human right. Alibi. Even as seminarians, priests already know that they are to live celibate lives and they freely accept it as part of their calling. Why do we not confront a friend with a wrong he has done or is doing? Because we do not want to hurt his feelings. Alibi. By not telling him his fault, we are more guilty of hurting him.

Alibi is not for the truthful. It is only for the hypocrite. Many may agree with what I say here, but still many may not. Perhaps, those who violently disagree with my reflection here have their own alibis.