Tuesday, 25 June 2013

Truth and Courage

Revelations about the undercover activities of the Metropolitan Police, in the Stephen Lawrence case, are deeply shocking. 
It must have taken much courage for this uncomfortable truth to be heard. 
What is startling to me is that a large body of people, also involved in this sort of activity, have managed to keep this shocking behaviour hidden and unknown for all these years. Calls for an appropriate public enquiry must surely lead to speedy and full exposure.
But without the courage of the truth-tellers, the lies will always win.
This was true in the Gospels too.
In John's Gospel, we see the relentless determination of the Jewish authorities to deny the obvious claims of Jesus. 
The truth about Jesus' identity is increasingly obvious to the man whose sight has been restored. But his claims about Jesus are relentlessly challenged by those in authority. It takes much courage, in the face of powerful threats, for the man to keep telling the truth.
'The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, “He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.” Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them. 
Then the Pharisees again questioned the man who had been blind and demanded, “What’s your opinion about this man who healed you?” The man replied, “I think he must be a prophet.” (John 9.15-17)
As the man sticks to his truth-telling, his understanding of Jesus deepens. But those who reject the truth reveal their increasing blindness. ' If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it.” 
“You were born a total sinner!” they answered. “Are you trying to teach us?” And they threw him out of the synagogue.' (John 9.33-34)
In our own experience, as we seek to tell the truth about Jesus to those we encounter, we will need courage and patient determination. Some will hear, and begin to see, but many will mock and attack what we know is the truth. But we are not on our own, for Jesus is the Light of the World, who can open the eyes of the blind. Let us pray that our courage in telling the truth will heal people of their own blindness.
Best wishes,
Richard

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