Readings: Lev. 25:1.8-17; Ps. 67; Matt. 14:1-12
LEARN
TO SPEAK THE TRUTH NO MATTER THE COST
One
thing that the world hates to hear is the sound of the word "truth".
Why! Because it makes the world to tremble as most things in the world are
built on falsehood and deceit and people are becoming comfortable with falsehood
as a way of life. This is obvious especially with the ugly situation of society
today where humanity are placed in perpetual darkness and confusion as the
voices that speak the truth are silenced by all means.
Today
people want to be "free" to do whatever they like, they don't want
anybody to remind them the hard truth about the realities of life. Hence, they
can do anything just to silence truth. Thus, the cost of speaking the truth has
become so expensive that some times it cost a life of an individual or even a
whole community. It is even more demanding when the truth to be told has to do
with the conversion of one in authority.
This
is the case with John the Baptist in our Gospel passage today, whose head was
the prize he paid for the truth he told to Herod and Herodias. For Herod had
arrested John and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s
wife. For John had told him, ‘It is against the Law for you to have her.’ Herod
had wanted to kill him but was afraid of the people, who regarded John as a
prophet.
But,
on the occasion of Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the
company, and so delighted Herod that he promised on oath to give her anything
she asked. She conspired with the mother and demanded for the head of John the
Baptist. The king was distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of
his guests, he ordered John to be beheaded and the head be given to the girl,
who took it to her mother.
These
ugly attitudes towards John the Baptist points at what is done to Jesus in his
Passion, demonstrating how good people, especially when they struggle for truth
and justice, are often condemned to suffer in the hands of greed and powerful
people as we have it in our country today. But should we stop speaking the
truth because of fear of losing our lives?
I
don't think so, because truth saves life, it brings freedom, it releases
tension, it brings peace, it settles quarrels and disputes. Truth is freedom
which must be offered to everyone, whoever, whenever and however it will best
bring conversion to its enemies, just like John the Baptist did to Herod and
Herodias even at the expense of his life.
Herod
made a bad decision, which out of pride finds it difficult to change his mind
and admit that he was wrong. He did not plan to execute John that night. He was
persuaded by Herodias to do so, because he was a weak man. He is a slave to the
opinion of others, he feared the people who revered John; he also fears the
reaction of his guests if he should retract his oath.
Dear
friends, like Herod, how often do we make decisions out of pride? When we make
bad decisions, how quick are we able to change our mind, to admit that we are
wrong. Are we like Herodias who is waiting for an opportunity to silenced the
innocents who confront us with the truth?
If today we happen to be one of the guests of Herod, what would been our
reaction? Will I have protested or stayed silent?
Thus,
what do we do when we see others suffering injustice? Do we have the courage to
protest, even at the cost of losing our jobs and lives? Today we called to
speak the truth no matter the cost, for the world needs to hear the truth at
all cost. This is the evidence in our first reading today, where the Lord gave
the people instructions on how to coordinate themselves in their promised land
for he said let none of you wrong his
neighbour, but fear your God.
LET US
PRAY: Lord God, it is difficult to speak
and stand for truth in our world today, give us the grace and courage to become
instrument of your word in truth and in deeds just like St. John the Baptist.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you God’s favour
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