It is 29th August 2017. We celebrate the memorial of the passion and Beheading of St John the Baptist, the forerunner for the Lord. We read in the entrance antiphon, “I spoke, O Lord, of your decrees before kings, and not confounded; I pondered your commands and love them greatly.” (Ps.119:46). A saint lived and died standing up for truth. Not standing up for truth and expecting someone to stand up for truth is just equal to murdering the truth. Standing up for truth especially against those who abuse power is prophetic. Speaking up means inviting the liars to hear and face what they would refuse to hear anyway. Fearing the consequences of speaking up is cowardice and power-seeking and supporting the elements of murderers of truth secretly. Most of the believers want to be truthful and honest to themselves. But to speak up the truth in front of the society, they all become weak and hiding. There are some of us speak the truth only when it is beneficial and rewarding. Some others speak the truth just attack the other person and assassinate the character of the other. Where there is charity, there is truth. To tell the truth and to stand up for the truth, one does not need to hold a position, power and influence in the society. In most cases, the truth is silenced by power and authority. Truth struggles to emerge in affluence, and in the milieu of game of thrones. Speaking up the truth might cost our lives in some circumstances just like that of St. John the Baptist. Living by the truth is better than deceiving ourselves with lies day by day. Be silent does not means prudence. To be heard, we do not need to shout. Tolerating and being indifferent to the pathetic liars is injustice done against the truth. The readings are from Jeremiah 1:17-19; and the Gospel from Mark 6:17-29. In the first reading God wants the Prophet Jeremiah to stand up before the people as, ‘a pillar of iron, and wall of bronze to confront all.’ God promised the prophet that God would stand by him when he stands up for the truth. “They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you.” (Jer.1:19). The responsorial Psalm prays, “Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength.” (Ps.71:6). The Gospel recalls the martyrdom of John the Baptist who spoke the truth against the king Herod. The saint never bowed or backed away for pointing out the truth. We are living in a world; the people fix price for truth. Money-power will never be able to silence the truth for a long time. Truth will emerge as truth with the help of truthful people who are still around us in the world. Let us be someone like the saint of the day. May God who is truth and love reward you. Have a good day.