GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 29TH AUGUST 2016
MONDAY OF THE 22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
(THE BEHEADING OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST)
1ST READING: 1Corinthinas 2:1-5
PSALM: Psalm 119:97-102
GOSPEL: Mark 6:17-29
THEME: TRUTH
In the field of academia, there are various theories of truth, e.g. Semantic theory of truth, Correspondence theory of truth, Coherence theory of truth, Pragmatic theory of truth, Performative theory of truth etc. Famous philosophers like Kant, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche have all spoken and written at length about truth. Indeed the quest for truth is deep and relentless.
However, in the example of the life of John the Baptist, one observes that truth is not a theory based on philosophical arguments; it is an experience to be lived. In today’s Gospel text, he paid the ultimate price for the truth. Faithful to the teaching of the Jewish Law (Leviticus 18:16; 20:21), he told Herod, “It is against the Law for you to have Herodias, your brother Philip’s wife”. The price for this piece of truth was his head on a dish.
Truth is very expensive. Many are unable to tolerate it, let alone pay the price for it. It is a bitter pill and yet the only medicine that can heal the soul of its ailment.
Many in our world today in an attempt to save their faces from spittle choose to hide the truth and yet it is this very truth that saves not just one’s face but one’s whole being. Hiding the truth is a tedious job that comes with no salary. It may appear to give a momentary allowance but in the end it enslaves.
There is an Akan proverb that says, “Truth is one”. In other words, we can give our subjective views about something but the truth of the matter will remain objective.
Many people talk about truth but few are willing to stand up for it and pay the price for it. It is true that standing up for the truth in our world today may cost one a lot but as people of faith, we are called upon to be the conscience of a world that is gradually losing its conscience.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, make me a witness of truth and if it pleases you a martyr of it. Like John the Baptist, may I never shy away from speaking the truth always. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).