SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER
Today, we hear about the need to speak the truth to power. For a disciple of Christ or a prophet, “Speak truth to power!” is not a cliché, a mere slogan, or a political jargon as we read in today’s readings. Hence, it is not a laughing matter or a political hogwash. On the contrary, it is deadly serious, and it can be downright dangerous.
Today the Mass readings contain stories of what happens “When a Prophet Speaks Truth to Power.” In the gospel is an account of how John had spoken truth to power (King Herod) and paid for it with his dear life. John told Herod had dumped his first wife and married his brother’s wife, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Herod and his new wife, Herodias, were amused by John’s boldness and courage, so they struck back. When a prophet speaks truth to power, the prophet can expect persecution. In the Old Testament, think of Moses, telling Pharaoh, “Let my people go.” But Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not. The prophet Samuel confronted King Saul. Prophet Nathan confronted King David (David listened to the prophet and did repent. But generally, it is dangerous for a prophet to call out a king.) The prophet Elijah rebuked King Ahab and his queen, Jezebel. Jezebel tried to hunt Elijah down, much like Herodias went after John.
The prophet Amos spoke out against King Jeroboam, which did not make him a very popular person. Speaking truth to power is not easy, nor is it safe.
In the New Testament, Jesus spoke truth to the religious leaders of the Jews, the scribes, and the Pharisees. Jesus called them out, exposing their hypocrisy and pronouncing woe upon them for misleading the people. This did not make Jesus very popular with them. They hated Jesus. They conspired against him, arrested him, and condemned him to death by crucifixion.
A prophet is called to speak truth to power. The people in power can shut the prophet down and take his or her life, but they cannot stop God’s word. Speaking truth to power may be a high risk, but even more so, it is a high reward. God will vindicate his servants in the end.
In the first reading, God says to the prophet Jeremiah “Gird your loins; stand up and tell them all that I command you. Be not crushed on their account….. They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you.”
The age of the martyrs is not over. In our century, as in previous centuries for us, many Christians: priests, religious, and pastors lay faithful, die, or are slaughtered in the name of other religions. Some are in prison and under torture. In the face of such temptation and persecution, our persecutors try to shut our minds and our mouths. Some have resulted in terrorism to silence the witness of faith and reason. The story of the Christian martyrs goes on. As Tertullian said: “Our numbers increase every time we are cut down by you: the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians.”
John died in the cell, in anonymity, “like so many of our martyrs.” The “voice crying in the desert” did not hesitate to accuse the guilty, and did not hesitate to speak the truth. “Life,” the Pope explained, “has value only in giving it, in giving it in love, in truth, in giving it to others, in daily life, in the family.”
We, created in the Imago Dei, have a calling to which we must listen. Each person’s call is unique. No one will ever repeat the mission of John, and yet all of us are called to that very mission. Hence, it is our responsibility to witness Jesus. No matter what our position in this world is, we are called to be disciples of Christ by our words, actions, and deeds.
