In our American families there are two subjects that one shouldn’t bring in the family discussion unless the entire family belongs to the same group. The first topic is politics. The second subject is Religion. These subjects are considered as taboos and sensitive to deal with in a family re-union. We live in a pluralistic society. None of us is open to listen to the truth from the other side. We don’t want to offend each other with different perspective of the truth. We take refuge in our own in-group people who think and believe like us. We end up living in a lie that comforts us. We become convinced by platitudes as though they were proven scientific evidence or articles of revealed truths. The word of God calls us today to recognize the division that truth causes in the world where lies appear to dominate. But Jesus Christ is the Light that shines in darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1: 5).
“Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division” (Luke 12: 51). This statement of Jesus spells out the plain truth of his revelation and ministry. It confirms the prophecy of Simeon at the presentation of the child Jesus in Jerusalem. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be spoken against” (Luke 2: 34). As a person, Jesus was not acknowledged as divine by all but only by a few people. He was finally accused of blasphemy by revealing that God is his father and he had come down from Him. His message of truth and good news of salvation became divisive despite the admiration of many who listened to him. The Scribes and Pharisees censured Jesus’ miracles and treated them as works of Beelzebul (Mark 3: 22), the head demon. While the people were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” (Mark 7: 37). Through all trials and death, Jesus remained faithful to his Father and mission of salvation. The Prophet Jeremiah, too, stood for the truth and love of God in the midst of crooked leaders and a weak nation. He stands as a model of a good disciple of Christ.
Hence, the Letter to the Hebrews encourages us, followers of Jesus, to persevere in the midst of contradictions and trials standing on the side of the truth in the footsteps of the suffering Messiah and Teacher. The family of Jesus too thought he was out of his mind (Mark 3: 21). Family members and friends might despise us too for adhering to Jesus and his Gospel that will not bring us peace but more fire in loving Christ and his cross. Because of bearing witness to Jesus and to the true monastic life, Brother John of the Cross suffered pain and imprisonment at the hands of his fellow Carmelite monks. Venerable Francis Libermann of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit was cursed and disowned by his Jewish rabbi father and family because he had come to believe in the Lord Jesus.
Talking about Jesus and his Church at a family reunion may earn us a bad name and even rejection from the people we love. And yet, it is in bringing Christ in our conversation that we communicate the Good News of salvation to our brothers and sisters. Living and behaving according to the Christian values in some workplaces may cost us our jobs or respect from our peers. So be it because we are animated by the fire of Christ and our reward is greater than the present loss and humiliations.