The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his doctrine. Jesus answered him, "I have spoken publicly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue or in the temple area where all the Jews gather, and in secret I have said nothing. Why ask me? Ask those who heard me what I said to them. They know what I said." When he had said this, one of the temple guards standing there struck Jesus and said, "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?" 

The movie "The Ghost Writer" is a murder mystery that eventually is solved, but the ending should be reserved for the actual viewing of the movie. What is important is both the courage of the ghost writer and the reason why there was a murder. For the ghost writer of Adam Lang's autobiography, it meant going beyond his task of writing. As he became more involved in writing, it became evident that the people who were responsible for the murder would do anything to block the truth. People who are interested in proclaiming the truth must remember that there will always be people who disagree with them. It takes courage to proclaim the truth no matter what.            

Jesus suffered immense mental pain as well as physical pain at the end of his life. Part of the mental pain was the knowledge that the religious leaders refused to listen to what he said. Even though Jesus gave answers to their questions, his persecutors would not pay attention to his words. Simply put, they did not want to hear the truth that he proclaimed. But, as he did in his life, Jesus proclaimed the truth anyway. Because the words that he spoke were the words of God, he courageously told the truth, even if it meant that he would suffer because of it.

One of the rules of responsible journalism is that the truth must be told. The ghost writer for Adam Lang's autobiography knew that he had to deal with the truth, even though the truth might involve his own persecution. The ghost writer knew what it meant for his future when he wrote the truth.

It is a fact of life that proclaiming the truth demands courage. It is obvious when one deals with life and death matters; perhaps it should be made obvious in other matters as well. Consider in particular the Christian truths that people do not like to hear. True Christians should confront the evils around them. They should stop the lies that others tell, they should decry the use of abusive language, they should address the behavior of others that should be changed. Of course, at the same time it is true that Christians must remain kind in their judgment of others; confronting the evil must always be done in a good and gentle way.

Proclaiming the truth was what Jesus was all about in his life. His followers should accept the same challenge. 

THOUGHT
 
PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son possessed the truth from you, his Father. He never ceased proclaiming it by his words and life. Help us have a respect for the truths that your Son taught us, and give us the courage to proclaim the truth in whatever form to others. Be with us, we pray. 

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike

©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America