by Leo Francisco
There are people—whether in the Church, in politics, in social movements, or even within our own families—who see themselves as defenders of tradition. They claim to protect what is sacred, what is true, what must not be touched or questioned. Some even believe they alone understand the essence of things, and from that belief flows the authority to speak, act, and judge.
But the real question is this: How do they protect it?
Some do so with humility and grace. They engage in dialogue—an encounter rooted in mutual listening and respect. Dialogue is not debate. Dialogue is a search for truth together. Debate, on the other hand, often becomes a clash of egos, where the goal is to win, not to understand. In the end, it becomes less about the truth and more about who gets the last word.
In my own experience, especially in the place of social apostolate, I’ve seen a different, more dangerous kind of “defense.” Some people reject dialogue altogether. They group themselves not to learn, but to dominate. They refuse to be corrected, and instead of building up others, they tear them down—sometimes personally, sometimes cruelly. They label those who question them as enemies, as if honest critique is an attack on the faith itself.
Ironically, by doing this, they become like termites eating away at the very foundations they claim to protect. Instead of strengthening the tradition, they hollow it out, turning it into something brittle and self-serving.
And when they operate in spaces of service or justice, the damage can be even greater. How can we say we stand for the poor, the wounded, and the excluded if we ourselves cannot face hard truths or offer space for others to speak? Social apostolate is not just about doing good works—it’s about walking with others, especially the marginalized, with a heart open to conversion. When we use faith or ideology to silence others, we lose the very spirit of the Gospel.
Sometimes I wonder: If Jesus came back today, how would we treat Him? Would we welcome Him, or would we question His identity, suspect His methods, doubt His message—just like the Pharisees did? Would He be dismissed because He challenges our comfort and disturbs our systems? Perhaps even today, something worse than crucifixion would await Him: indifference, spiritual pride, institutional coldness.
Because the sad truth is, some of the most vocal defenders of the law or tradition often end up using it not to serve others, but to serve themselves.
But there is hope. True tradition is not about resisting change; it is about remaining faithful to the source of life—God’s love, mercy, and justice. And true service—whether in the Church or the world—demands humility. It invites us to listen, to grow, to be corrected, to stand firm not in arrogance but in compassion.
Let’s not allow our fear or pride to turn us into destroyers disguised as defenders. Let’s build a Church, a society, and a mission where dialogue is possible, where justice is lived with love, and where tradition remains alive by being open to the Spirit who renews all things.
About the Author
Leonard A. Francisco is currently the Assistant Content Creator for the website and social media pages of the Society of Jesus’ Social Apostolate, under the leadership of Fr. Emmanuel Alfonso, SJ. He is under regency while pursuing theological and masteral studies at the Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University.
Society of Jesus' social apostolate 