Speaking Truth to Power

Jesus of Montreal

One of my favorite movies about the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus is Jesus of Montreal, directed by Denys Arcand. The movie is an unorthodox retelling of the story of Jesus. (For my review of this movie, please click on "Other Stuff". Click "Home" to return to main page.)

During Lent, it is worthwhile to reflect on a scene in the film from the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate. Does the trial of Jesus have anything to say to us in the 21st century?

"Jesus before Pilate"
courtesy of http://clipart.ochristian.com/

Pilate is a man of political and military power. Pilate bluntly tells Jesus that he holds the power of life and death over him. Yet, despite this tremendous power, Pilate is insecure. He seeks the wisdom of Jesus, a man he perceives to be without power. He philosophizes about mortality and immortality, trying to draw Jesus into debate. He asks Jesus, “What is truth?” The scene makes clear that power and truth are not synonymous.

In the Gospel accounts, Jesus is on trial before Pilate precisely because he spoke the truth to power. In his ministry, Jesus confronted the Jewish religious authorities through his words and works. He became indignant when he saw injustice. Jesus demonstrated that those in power do not necessarily possess truth.

Jesus spoke the truth to power; the cost was his life.

Speaking truth to power in today's world

The phrase, “speaking truth to power,” originates with a Quaker pamphlet published in 1955 that responded to the Cold War. (Read the original pamphlet at http://www.quaker.org/sttp.html)

There are many examples in today's world of people speaking truth to power. Recent events in the Middle East and North Africa illustrate the effects of speaking the truth to power. For example, in Egypt, the collective voice of peaceful protest was successful in removing a long time ruling regime. The unfolding chaos in Libya is an example of the grave risks citizens take when they begin to speak the truth to power.

Protesters in Egypt

In Latin America, peasants and indigenous people, with the help of international non-governmental organizations, speak the truth to power in order to protect their rights to land and food sovereignty. In North Honduras, The United Peasant Movement of Aguan successfully lobbied for 10,000 hectares of land for impoverished peasants. (Information from The Development and Peace 2009-2010 Annual Report, which can be accessed at:

http://devp.org/devpme/eng/aboutus/doc/Rapport_annuel_2009-2010.pdf)

Speaking truth to power as a form of discipleship

As followers of Christ, we are each called to speak the truth to the powers that bind people. There are numerous way to do this, and they will be different depending on each person’s gifts, sensibilities, situation and call from God.

In the spirit of Lent, we can ask ourselves, “Where can I improve my discipleship in speaking truth to power?"

As a follower of Christ, do I affirm the dignity of each person?

• Am I aware of the power of hopelessness on the homeless, the mentally ill, and the lonely? Are there ways I can help?

• Do I speak out in social situations against the power of destructive attitudes, like prejudice, racism, and sexism?

• Do I allow the power of selfishness to dominate my life?

• Do I have the courage to speak the truth to family and friends about personal matters?

As a follower of Christ, do I promote social justice? 



• Do I engage in efforts to alleviate poverty at home and abroad?

• Do I support the activities of organizations that work to create greater global justice?

• Do I inform myself about the local situation, analyze social policy, and try to make a difference?

As a follower of Christ, do I exercise proper stewardship of creation? 

• Do I reign in my desire for material things or have I become a victim to the power of consumerism?

• Do I monitor my use of natural resources or am I more interested in the power of convenience?

Like Pilate, we too might ask, “What is truth?” We are much luckier than Pilate; we have over 2000 years of Christianity and reflection on the life of Jesus to help us ascertain truth, and to discover our own unique way of living in truth. Like Jesus, may the content of our lives speak truth to power.

Lent

Springtime for the soul

How are those New Year’s resolutions going? Are you sticking to them? Has your enthusiasm for them fizzled out? Or, has something happened to throw you off course?

Confronted with the death of someone I loved, my resolutions definitely diminished in importance and fizzled out. The long, dreary winter has done nothing to reignite my enthusiasm or inspire the discipline I need to get back on track. Happily, two events, the coming of spring and the liturgical season of Lent, come to my rescue and help me refocus.

Image courtesy of Freefoto
http://www.freefoto.com/index.jsp

Spring fills the earth with new life. The warmth of the sun, the singing of the birds, and the  bursting forth of blossoms inspire us with energy.

With the coming of spring, our enthusiasm for projects grows. We want to make over a section of our gardens and renovate our homes. We want a beauty makeover complete with a fitness regime that will get our sluggish winter bodies into beach ready shape.

Lent: a spiritual makeover

Lent offers us the opportunity for a makeover of the spiritual variety.

The word “lent” is from the Anglo-Saxon word meaning “spring.” It has come to denote the forty days before Easter. Lent is a time for spiritual resolution during which Christians acknowledge their sinfulness.

The notion of sin is very much out of fashion in today’s society. We have set ourselves up as little gods and goddesses. Our ill informed consciences have become the ultimate authority over our behavior. There are no longer any moral absolutes. Like petulant children, we adopt the “You’re not the boss of me” attitude.

We do not like to admit that we sin. Confessing our sin is an admission that we are imperfect and in need of a make over.

Be holy as God is holy

We are made in the image and likeness of God who is holy and who invites us to be holy. A basic of Christian spirituality “is the willingness to accept the holiness that God offers us” (Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of Cincinnati). 

The holiness of God is the standard for our life. Numerous biblical passages reveal the character of God and show us how to be like God. These passages help us examine our conscience in a life giving way. Evaluating our conduct and attitudes is an instructive tool for spiritual renewal.

The Ten Commandments, for example, are a basic formulation of how to avoid conflict within our self. They provide practical advice on how to preserve good relations with others and within the community. The essence of the Law of Moses is “love your neighbour as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18) so that the self can be holy as God is holy.

Sometimes our sin lies not in what we have done, but in what we have failed to do. Love of neighbour goes beyond avoiding sin. It requires action. Jesus tells us that it is not enough to cry “Lord, Lord.” We have to bear fruit. One way we bear fruit is by responding to the needs   of others in charity and humility.

The Good Samaritan

Lent is a good time to examine our motives and conduct. We should also examine our inaction. Have I fed the hungry, given drink to the thirsty, clothed the naked, visited the lonely, comforted the suffering? (Matthew 25:35-37) Have I given willingly of my time, treasure, and talent? Have I at least tried to be the image of the holy, compassionate God?

Lent: a time for conversion and renewal

The conversion of our heart begins when we honestly examine our self and admit that we are sinners. This interior transformation liberates. It creates space for growth and for a renewed relationship with God and others.

Lent is like spring-cleaning. It is a time to sweep out the dust from under the bed, discard items we were once attached to, and wash the windows clean of dirt that obscures the light.

Lent is a spiritual make over, prompting renewal of the most profound resolutions of the heart. It is springtime for the soul!

(You might enjoy Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk's program  "Sharing the Word"  available at http://www.franciscanmedia.org/sections/stw/default.aspx.)