WHILE CONTEMPLATING the topic of this edition, arts and entertainment, I felt overwhelmed by the diversity of genres and the vastness of areas which are covered: music, painting, sport, theatre, literature or online platforms, just to mention a few. In most of them, I consider myself a neophyte. However, looking attentively, we find, among them, some common factors, indeed relevant to us.

Arts and entertainment are often the outcome of a genuine human creativity and, in that sense, their authors share in God’s divine life—grace given to human beings by the Creator, as St John Paul II referred to in his letter to artists. The artists, inspired by God, connect us with its Source. Contemplating beauty, we are granted a share in God’s creativity. The Vatican II Fathers reminded the artists that “Humanity needs beauty in order not to sink into despair. Beauty, like truth, brings joy to the human heart and is that precious fruit which resists the erosion of time.” The inspirational work of an artist brings hope and uplifts the human spirit.

Artistic creativity becomes an instrument at the service of the common good. Let us look at some examples. A piece of music may elicit in the listener a sentiment of wonder and gratitude to our Creator. In the world of sport, with millions of fans, a player’s gesture of kindness, an attitude of fair-play, or a demonstration of companionship and collaboration may touch the souls of millions of youths. They attentively observe their favorite players’ attitudes, as their inspiration and role models. Marcus Rashford, a Manchester United soccer star and England national team player of African descent, promoter of justice for needy children in the UK, portrayed in this edition, may inspire many young followers to enact values of solidarity and justice in their lives. The Light Twins, South African Catholic Gospel artists whom we encounter in this edition, are convinced of their mission to bring the light of Christ to people searching for consolation, through various musical platforms. Paintings have always been an extraordinary vehicle for catechesis and evangelization. Fr Raul Tabaranza MCCJ shares his personal journey and motivates us to make use of our artistic creativity for this purpose. Radio Networks are also powerful tools of evangelization, especially in the remote and rural areas of our African continent, such as in South Sudan, as you will read about.

As various contributors of this edition concur, social media and online platforms are modern tools with an amazing power to foster human enrichment, solidarity, mutual empowerment, privileged vehicles of the transmission of truth, goodness and beauty. Nevertheless, a proper discernment of their use is always needed, lest they become weapons of destruction and misinformation, as Sr Neville Forchap FSP, explains further.

Our responsibility has become greater than ever! Once again, the words of Jesus are a continuous challenge for us Christians: “For in dealing with their own kind, the children of this world are more astute than the children of light” (Lk 16: 8) if we want to make use of the various mediums and means available for communication to ensure human dignity and a fruitful evangelization. As digital platforms are powerful and speedy channels for content, reaching ever growing crowds, they also become effective tools to share the beauty of the Gospel in the world.