“Daring to be the voice that stands for, and upholds the Truth!”

(Based on Sir 47:2-13 and Mk 6:14-29 – Friday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A particular prime minister of a country – outspoken and audacious – heavily denounced the policies and atrocities of his predecessor, who was a dictator.

Once during a public meeting, as he censured the former dictator with stringent words…
… he was interrupted by a shout from a heckler in the audience: “You were one of the colleagues of the former dictator, isn’t it?

Why didn’t you stop him then?”

“WHO SAID THAT?” roared the prime minister!

This thundering question bellowed and boomed…
… causing an agonizing and fearful silence to prevail among the audience.!

No body dared to move a muscle!

There was complete hush among them all

After a few moments of silence…
… the premier softly replied: “Now you know why!”

“I was also silent! I was afraid to have my voice heard… so that I could be safe!”

The prime minister confessed his fear in “being a voice that was heard” so that he could shield his life…
… and thus ‘played safe!’

The Gospel of the Day is however, in stark contrast to this trend – with the presentation of the bold and courageous voice of St John the Baptist…
… who “made his voice heard” – in standing and upholding the truth
… and who had to offer his life as a martyr for the Truth!

The Gospel presents before the Brutal Beheading of the Voice – St John the Baptist!
The voice was powerful.
The voice was a hope to many.
The voice, however, also disturbed a few… disturbed even to the point of revenge and vengeance.

And……slit…..! The voice was silenced!!

The Beheading of John the Baptist is one of the most brutal and visually-powerful incident in the entire Gospel.

John the Baptist was a Prophet.

And a True Prophet is a truth-teller!

As we read in today’s Gospel, this True Prophet, John, was the whistle-blower in crying “foul” over the illegitimate relationship between Kind Herod and his brother’s wife, Herodias.

Herodias hated John the Baptist.

Herodias hated him because he told the truth and she didn’t like the truth.

Herodias was determined to twist the truth into a lie and the lie into a truth.

Herodias, at her earliest opportunity, would seek to direct her revenge upon the truth teller!
Herodias wanted to get rid of that “crazy man” who was determined to put a moral mirror in front of her face.

Herodias, wanted this Voice to be silent!!

To silence the true voices of the society, is the bane of any generation….

How many voices-of-correction by the parents, is put to silence by disobedient children….
How many voices-of-moral lives by the Church, is put to silence, by modernists and liberalists…
How many voices-of-peace by innocent people, is put to silence, by fanatics and fundamentalists…
How many voices-of-indiscrimination by the citizens, is put to silence, by a negligent government…
How many voices-of-repentance by a spouse, is put to silence by a drunkard or an irresponsible partner…
How many a voices-of-holiness by the Lord, is put to silence, by superfluous spiritualities and comfy theologies..

The Voice of Truth cries…
… but how many of us, seek to silence it!

Yes, the lives of Conscience-movers and truth-tellers are always at a risk.

And this risk can even lead one to be a misfit in the society…
… to be “different from others”
… to even risk one’s life!

St John the Baptist had the courage to be the truth-teller and risk his life, even to be a martyr.

Martyrs get killed not just for having convictions…
… but for EXPRESSING & LIVING their convictions!

‘Play Safe’ is an ad-tag in which many Christians find refuge.
“Keep your mouth shut”…
“Don’t offend people around us”…
“It is better to be silent than sorry”…

These are some of the common phrases which we often adopt, in moments of injustice, corruption, inequality & unfairness!

But true Martyrs EXPRESSED and ARTICULATED and LIVED their faith!….

Martyrs don’t get swayed by popular opinions and cheap popularity

A true Martyr is a bold Witness!

St John the Baptist was not silent…
… he expressed and articulated and lived his convictions…
…. and he was martyred!

Today, You and I…. are invited to be a voice…
… in a voiceless
… in a voice-oppressed
… in a voice-drowned
… in a voice-killed…world!

St John the Baptist dared to be that VOICE – “I am the voice…!” (Jn 1:23)

Shall we too dare?

Let us today seek the intercession of St Gonzalo Garcia – the first Saint of Indian origin (from Vasai, India)- along with St Paul Miki and companions…
… and be inspired by the courage and conviction of these “Martyrs of Nagasaki!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!