Hajja Salesjana

but communicating in ways that inspire rather than inflame. This requires pausing and pondering before posting, filtering our words through the lens of charity. It means considering how even a valid critique can be shared meekly versus harshly. Don Dolindo knew that meekness is not weakness. Jesus described himself as “meek and humble of heart” (Matthew 11:29), yet He expressed bold truth. We, too, can advocate and enlighten with tenderness, channeling righteous anger away from attack modes and into compassion for the vulnerable. At times, meekness online means refraining from posting at all, resisting the temptation to fire back at detractors or add our voice to a resounding chorus. “If you cannot convince and realize that your brother has become hardened, why lash out with your words?” Don Dolindo asked. “The message of charity is needed to bring reason back into motion in him.” Often, the most meek yet powerful message is simply to pray rather than publicly castigate. Don Dolindo lived before the era of viral outrage and cancel culture. Yet he counseled against the very instincts that fuel these forces, urging divine wisdom over reactionary impulses. He knew that a gentle response could prevent combustible situations from exploding into conflagrations. When we feel wronged online, Don Dolindo advised entrusting our hurt to God rather than unleashing it back onto others. Our example of meekness in the face of provocation can become redemptive. He wrote, “Vent with Jesus, deposit your sorrows in His Heart and pray.” As Christians, we point beyond the endless outrage cycle to the peace only Christ can give. At its core, meekness requires surrendering our perceived right to meet insult with insult, judgment with judgment. It reflects the confidence that we do not have to avenge ourselves because God sees truth even when it is obscured from society. As Don Dolindo wrote, “Do not say that you need to vent or else you will burst.” Venting, only compounds anger. Instead, we can turn injustice over to the One who judges justly. This does not mean placidly accepting real harm or evil. Meekness chooses peaceful but bold paths to stand for truth, not staying silent in the face of wickedness. In the face of hatred, meekness responds with humanizing compassion while firmly rejecting bigotry. Even when strong pushback is required, Don Dolindo reminds us to do so without violating inner peace. He wrote, “Even when strength is necessary, it must be tempered withmeekness, neverbeingdrivenbyangerbut only by justice and fairness.” Righteous anger at injustice, when focused through the lens of charity, can inspire our advocacy without tainting it. On social media, the way we push Top photo by Patrick Tomasso - Unsplash.com 9 Jannar-Marzu 2025 hajja