The Diocese
Posted: 01/16/2026
Many of you probably remember the hype around Stanley cups, followed by Trader Joe’s tote bags, then Starbucks bear cups, and most recently the Nike Tech Fleece tracksuit that went viral and sold out in a matter of hours.
It is interesting how we associate brands with certain trends and images, turning them into statements of identity and belonging. As I shared this with friends, some suggested that such trends and their commercialization are largely driven by younger generations—Gen Z or Gen Alpha. Yet we see how quickly these trends cross generational lines and spread across societies.
Perhaps this happens because, consciously or unconsciously, we all contribute to their promotion. We repost, we talk about them, we use them, and in doing so we participate in the momentum. At times, we may even find ourselves yielding to peer pressure, without pausing to ask why.
This raises a deeper question for us. What if we emulated, with the same enthusiasm and persistence, those who feed the hungry, who tend the sick, who stand with the lonely, who give their time to serve, who choose compassion over convenience, and who quietly carry the burdens of others?
What if acts of kindness, volunteerism, generosity, hospitality, and humanitarian service became just as visible, just as desirable, and just as widely shared as the trends that so easily capture our attention?
Saint Paul reminds us, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure… think about these things” (Philippians 4:8). In another place, the Apostle urges believers to “be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
Perhaps the challenge before us is not to reject imitation altogether, but to redirect it—toward what heals, builds, and gives life to others.
May we all become a source of emulation by spreading love, light, and hope.
