Filipino Priest Goes Viral For His Unexpected Reference To BTS’s Jungkook In Sermon

ARMYs often find meaningful messages in BTS‘s discography.

Yet, even BTS’s music can touch ministers. Recently, a priest went viral for using an unexpected song from Jungkook in a sermon.

Filipino Rev. Fr. Francis Alvarez, SJ, unexpectedly mentioned Jungkook during his homily at mass on October 15, 2023. He referred to Jungkook’s latest single, “3D (feat. Jack Harlow)” as a “very profound song.”

Very recently, Jungkook of BTS fame released his latest single. To the people of my generation, let’s be patient a bit with Jungkook and BTS and try to learn something from him, which our young people here already see. Some people think Jungkook’s latest song entitled ‘3D’ is just a shallow song; it’s just about one thing: to meet a girl. But I don’t think so. I think it’s a very, very profound song.

— Rev. Fr. Francis Alvarez, SJ

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Rev. Fr. Francis Alvarez, SJ, dissected some of the lyrics, explaining what it means to him. He believes “3D” is about building a connection beyond digital.

It begins, ‘I can’t touch you through your phone.’ What does that mean? I can’t know you just by scrolling through your social media feeds and seeing what you post. I can’t really know you if all we do is exchange messages and video chat. I can’t really know you if I’m far away from you. I need to get to know you in 3D. In three dimensions. And so Jungkook sings, ‘So, if you’re ready, and if you’ll let me, I wanna see it in motion, in 3D.’

— Rev. Fr. Francis Alvarez, SJ

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One thing BTS and God have in common? They have armies. So, Rev. Fr. Francis Alvarez, SJ, also drew a connection there.

I think that we don’t really know God in 3D; we only know him in 2D, or worse, one dimension only. You’ve probably said ‘yes’ to God to a certain degree, you’ve probably accepted His invitation to come to the banquet. No, that’s not a probably, you’re here at the banquet, you’ve said ‘yes’ to God! But once you enter the banquet, once you accept the invitation, you become not just a guest, once you enter the banquet, you become a member of the household. And what does that mean? You become a member of the army of servants. You need to know God in 3D, and you need to know the people inviting in 3D.

— Rev. Fr. Francis Alvarez, SJ

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Rev. Fr. Francis Alvarez, SJ gave a surprising interpretation to more lyrics from “3D,” such as “champagne confetti.” He described it as imagery for God’s banquet.

Jungkook sings, ‘So, if you’re ready and if you’ll let me, I want to see it in motion, in 3D.’ And what will happen if we get to know our God and His people in 3D? Jungkook sings, ‘You won’t regret me, champagne confetti.’ What’s champagne confetti? That’s an image for the banquet. ‘Cause this is a banquet. So, let me end with a final note.

— Rev. Fr. Francis Alvarez, SJ

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Rev. Fr. Francis Alvarez, SJ gave a final assignment. He encouraged the congregation to get to know not only God but His people in 3D.

To those of you who are now part of the household who have to invite people into this banquet, you have to show the champagne and the confetti, you have to have celebration on your faces, but I look at your faces now… And, uh, you look like you’re going to a funeral. This is a banquet, this is a celebration, and if you’re not smiling, you don’t know our God in 3D. So, let me give you a lifelong assignment now. If you’re ready, and if you’ll let me, you have to know God in motion, in 3D. It’s a lifelong work, and it’s a work that will give you a banquet. Get to know God and His people in 3D.

— Rev. Fr. Francis Alvarez, SJ

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While many interpret “3D” as a song about a sexual relationship, the priest gave it a whole new meaning. Everyone interprets songs differently based on their personal background and outlook on life.

The clip went viral on TikTok with over 1M views at the time of writing. Watch it below.

Jungkook's "3D" lyrics was quoted in a homily:

"Very recently, Jungkook of BTS released a new song. It's entitled '3D,' and some people think it's just a shallow song of meeting a girl in 3D but I think it is actually a very very profound song."#JungKook_3D pic.twitter.com/53iF3f4o2y

— ???????? ???????????????? GOLDEN 11/03/23 – BAK (@AsiaJK97) October 19, 2023