Saturday, August 29, 2020

Non licet tibi (Mk 6:18).

 

Humans are very good at keeping secrets, even small or big alike. As long as it’s kept safe, everything will go to waste. However, when such secrets become known to others, it becomes no longer a secret but a big disaster. Today’s readings, especially the Gospel of Marc, seem so familiar to us. Every time we celebrate the Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist. Herodias, out of envy, wanted to kill John the Baptist because John had rebuked Herod for marrying Herodias the wife of his brother, Philip. And finally, the opportunity comes. Herodias was able to get revenge for killing John the Baptist.

Envy, spite, and anger often makes people lose their ways. People are always encouraged by those feelings to be unable to see goodness and truth in others. They'll only see one side. That when others seek to revive them, to bring them to their senses, people will think they're meddling in their personal affairs. It often makes a person lose sight of direction and purpose in life. The yearning for unity and salvation offered by God is diminished. Their hearts were closed to see the truth.

Speaking the truth always is a risk. People who do good and right are endeared to many. But when one stands up for truth and declares it honestly and courageously, not everyone likes it. This was the case with John the Baptist. In the realities of life, the truth of which we are faced with two choices: To defend or deny it, even if we know that the truth brings suffering. We need to realize that truth sets free because the pinnacle of truth is happiness.

In the reality of life, there may be many who lack the courage to speak the truth. To prevent others from getting hurt, people will choose to remain silent. Being followers of Christ meaning; we must not fear ostracism, slighted, rejected in our families, religious communities, or workplaces. That's the risk of telling the truth. Never be frightened of telling the truth. And Saint Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, says, "God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong".

By Sr. Maria Venidora, SND.

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