Readings: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10;
Heb. 12:1-4; Lk 12:49-53
Be Courageous and Speak the Truth
to Power
In
November of 1982, 25 young men entered into formation in the National
Missionary Seminary of St. Paul. One of them was a Moslem convert to
Christianity, unknown to his family. Since he was from the area where the
Seminary was located and knew the terrain he was our designated driver. One
day, he was sent on an errand to the parish close by. He did not know that his
father had posted scouts to trace his whereabout. On coming out of the rectory,
he was accosted by his father and taken back home. He was persuaded to give up
his desire to be a priest, but he refused, his mind was made up. After a long
persuasion, he was let go. Today he is a missionary priest. “Do you think that
I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two
against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his
father”
This
is by no means an isolated case. There are many priests, bishops and religious
who have gone through similar situations to answer the call to follow Christ.
They have had to suffer deprivations and torment of one kind or the other in their
chosen vocation. Jeremiah in the first reading of today was not different. As a
prophet, Jeremiah had to toe a fine line of prophesying for God or telling
people what they wanted to hear. Jeremiah lived and died trying to change the
course of human history, by denouncing evil and doing good. He warned that if
the people continued in their evil ways the nation will be destroyed; but for
saying that he was condemned and thrown into a muddy cistern to die (Jer.
38:6). Jesus spoke of waging war against evil and of bringing fire of judgement
on the wicked; but for speaking like that he was baptized with death (Lk.
12:50).
In
the nations of the world, we have heard of or seen kings, queens and presidents
who feel that they are above the law. No one can oppose them and anyone who
dares is ridiculed, called names and condemned. We have seen or heard of
children, immigrants and the poor being hounded and pushed around like sheep
without a shepherd and we feel powerless. We lack the courage and the
will-power to speak out or do something about unjust situations for fear of
repercussion and repression. And yet our Christian duties call us to stand up
and speak out. To be courageous and speak the truth to power no matter the
outcome. We are ambassadors for Christ who are to be the voice to the voiceless
and to be our brothers’ keepers. Our baptism enjoins us to identify with the
widows and orphans, the downtrodden and the helpless and be a sign of hope to
the hopeless. How can we help the poor if we are afraid to identify with them?
How can we be like Jesus in our willingness to set the world on fire with love
if we are unwilling to take action when we need to? Christians must not allow
fear to turn them into cowards and weaklings. Why be afraid when Christ has
warned us time and time again not to be!
History
has taught us that each time a person stands up for what is right and speaks
out against injustice, segregation, nepotism, racism and intimidation, ripples
of hope are sent forth and these ripples can build up into waves that can sweep
down the mightiest walls of resistance. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood up and
fought against racism and segregation, though he paid the ultimate price, we
are reaping some benefits of his resistance, even if it be in trickles. Yes,
our loyalty to Christ’s teaching is sure to rock the boat causing divisions. “I
have come for divisions” (Lk 12:52), Christ warns. The Church must not allow
the power of the media, political powers and the popular voices in the streets
to drown the teaching of Christ even if it is unpopular. The church must hold
on to her moral power of being both mother and teacher. For the division Christ
talks about is due to the fact that “the light came into the world, but people
preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil” (Jn. 3:19). We must
be light-carriers at all times and allow the power of our light to set the
world ablaze with love. Even if our collective efforts for good should cause us
to be dropped into the muddy cistern of opposition like Jeremiah, we should be
rest assured that a Cushite will come to deliver us from the pangs of death and
abandonment (Jer. 38:10). We must fight on keeping our eyes on the prize of the
joy that lies ahead. Why? Because we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses
(Heb. 12:1-2). Let us take consolation from these heroes and heroines of our
faith. Let us ask them to intercede for us so that we may have the courage to
speak truth to power and alleviate some of the sufferings of the world. May we
never be afraid to choose the Lord for though the cost of discipleship may be
enormous, it will guarantee our peace and joy. For Christ has assured us this
much: “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world
you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world” (Jn.
16:33). May God bless and keep us now and always. Amen.
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