"Yet I, like a trusting lamb led to slaughter, had not realized that they were hatching plots against me: Let us destroy the tree in its vigor; let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will be no more.”

Jer. 11:19

Have you ever prayed before an abortion clinic? You can experience vehement opposition from forces against life there. I have been yelled at (with words that I have never heard in church) and told to get lost. The darkness of evil rears its head seeking to drive out and shut down any truth that might be spoken to those who are considering taking the life of a baby. This is one situation where we can starkly see that the goal of Satan is to have truth silenced. Satan wants to shut down the person who speaks truth that preserves and fosters life.

We see how the prophets of the Old Testament were speaking God’s word and how there was always the evil opposition attempting to shut them down and get rid of them. Jeremiah acutely realized this imagining himself as a trusting lamb led off to slaughter such that his name would be spoken no more. To speak the truth of God was risky business. It would be the cause of Jeremiah’s death. But he trusted in the Lord through it all.

What about us? What are we doing with the truth of God? Have not we been given much more of an up-close and personal view of God than Jeremiah? Unlike Jeremiah, who did not experience the revelation of Jesus, we get to see the truth of our lives by having a face to face conversation with Jesus. What are we doing to tell the world about the truth of Jesus that preserves and fosters life?

In telling the truth of right and wrong, there will be opposition. We can count on it. Remember, though, that Satan wants to silence any truth that might be coming off our lips. Telling the truth, in love and for the goal of life, entails risk- especially when the stakes are higher.

Why don’t we risk more in telling the truth? Do we think we will offend someone? The last time I checked, eternal life is about the least offensive thing I can think of. Can you imagine how you would feel in heaven if different people pointed you out to Jesus and told him that they were there in some small or big way because you risked telling the truth to them? Can you think of a more fulfilling compliment? Maybe we don’t tell the truth more because we do not think we will have the right words to say. My response is, “Get over it. We are taught in the New Testament that the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth and give us the words to say when we need to say them.” Ultimately, maybe we don’t want to tell the truth because we are afraid that it might cost us our lives. We know Jesus has that one covered.

You have never met a mere mortal. Every person you meet has an eternal destination. Are you going to share eternal life every chance you get or deny others it by keeping your lips sealed? Risk all for the one who has risked all for you.

God’s will!
+Fr. John