All truth passes through three stages: First it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed and third it is accepted as being self-evident

It's not enough to rage against the lie.. you've got to replace it with the truth.
-- Bono: (born 10 May 1960 -  is an Irish singer-songwriter, & musician.  He is best known as the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of rock band U2)

Gospel Text: (JN 16:12-15)

Jesus said to his disciples:

"I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.

But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,

he will guide you to all truth.

He will not speak on his own,

but he will speak what he hears,

and will declare to you the things that are coming.

He will glorify me,

because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.

Everything that the Father has is mine;

for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine

and declare it to you."

Blessed John Henry Newman said, “…it is our plain duty to preach and defend the truth in a straightforward way…” This quote applies as much today as it did when he preached it in the 19th century. Just whose duty is it to defend the truth in our culture? Whose job is it to make our Catholic voice heard in the spiritual war we face? Is it the job of the laity? Is it the responsibility of the priests and deacons? Or is it the responsibility of the bishops? Actually, we all have a role to play in defending the truth.

It should be painfully obvious that the truth is taking a beating in our society. How did we get here? Bad catechesis is partly to blame. People have not been educated in the faith. Thus it is easier for them to believe, “We may not personally agree with it, but we don’t want to step on others’ rights.” Or they may feel that if their “conscience” says it’s okay to vote for something or someone contrary to Church teaching, then that’s what they should do. The problem is that they don’t understand what “conscience” means in this context.  Conscience is not just about one’s personal feelings and opinions.

It is easy to complain that nothing is being done and blame everyone else for the problem. We all need to take a look in the mirror. We are the problem—clergy and laity alike. We each need to take action now, and not later.

Church leaders need to speak up and educate the laity about the truth in a straightforward way. They must fearlessly address the hot-button issues with their flocks. We laity need to develop a rudimentary understanding of our faith, and we need to evangelize others at every opportunity, most especially by the way we live our daily lives in the public square.

Time’s running out! Catholics can make a difference—if we have the courage to do so. If we do not, we’ll have only ourselves to blame as conditions continue to worsen. It’s time for a gut check and head into the fray.