The Consequences of Silence in The Public Square

When we speak about truth and life and redemption, we are speaking of Christ. - St. Ambrose

Gospel text (Lk 12,8-12):
Jesus said to his disciples:
"I tell you,
everyone who acknowledges me before others
the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.
But whoever denies me before others
will be denied before the angels of God.

"Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,
but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will not be forgiven.
When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities,
do not worry about how or what your defense will be
or about what you are to say.
For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say."

The Compendium Of The Social Doctrine Of The Church (CSDC) explains that the Church "seeks to proclaim the Gospel," making it "present in the complex network of social relations," thus "enriching and permeating society itself with the Gospel" (62).

Perhaps one of the greatest obstacles to speaking the truth in public is fear. For instance, it is not uncommon to find people at social gatherings who are engaged in debate over the economy or the need to provide affordable housing for the poor. While it is true that these are important subjects, if one tactfully and with humility points out that these issues pale in comparison to the evils of abortion or the damage wrought on children, marriage and society by contraceptives, one will suddenly find himself feeling as if he just uttered an incomprehensible punch line in a stale joke.

Although the truth is often unpopular, those who promote it with love can be consoled in the knowledge that they are indeed serving our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pope Benedict XVI, in his encyclical letter Caritas In Veritate, reminds the faithful of the nature of charity: "Charity in truth, to which Jesus Christ bore witness by his earthly life and especially by his death and resurrection, is the principal driving force behind the authentic development of every person and of all humanity. . . . To defend the truth, to articulate it with humility and conviction, and to bear witness to it in life are therefore exacting and indispensable forms of charity. Charity, in fact, rejoices in the truth" (1).

It is time to learn our Faith, live it and speak it in our daily lives without compromise. Only then will we begin to turn back the unrelenting tide of relativism which continues to erode the shores of America.