TRUTH DOES NOT DEPEND ON A MAJORITY VOTE (HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 10TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME JUNE 2022

TRUTH DOES NOT DEPEND ON A MAJORITY VOTE

1kings 18:20-39; Matthew 5:17-19

In his book “Life in Christ”, Fulton Sheen opined that “the majority is not always right. In the field of the relative, he maintained, the majority may be right but not in the field of the absolute. Truth, he declares, does not win when numbers alone become decisive. Numbers alone can decide a beauty queen, but not justice. Beauty is a matter of taste, but justice is tasteless. Right is still right if nobody is right, and wrong is still wrong if everybody is wrong”.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, if the numbers of those ‘for’ and ‘against’ were to be the determinant factor for ascertaining the true God in the contest which took place on Mount Carmel between Prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal, just as we do have at the ‘National Assembly’ or ‘State House of Representatives’, then Elijah would have lost out woefully. On the one hand are Four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, even supported by the king and the queen, and on the other hand, is the prophet Elijah alone. For Elijah said, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets numbers four hundred and fifty (1kings 18:22). The prophet Elijah knew profoundly and convincingly the God whom he served; and this bred in him the courage to challenge the prophets of Baal to a contest. He was convinced deep within that truth and true doctrine does not depend on the majority vote but on the certification of God.

Friends in Christ, we live in a world where religio-moral judgments are passed mostly on the perception of the majority vote, disregarding the fact that Truth had often stood alone and can always stand alone, regardless of number. We have seen instances where jungle justice were carried out by angry Mob based on the opinion of the simple majority regardless of the facts available.   Instances of countries reaching a conclusion on religio-moral matters e.g abortion, euthanasia, etc,  based on the numerical strength of the citizens against or in favour of the argument, even if it swims against the tide of absolute truth.

Beloved in Christ, Jesus tells us in the gospel that “I have come not to abolish the laws and the prophets but to fulfill them” (Mt 5:17), he then warns that whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:19). People of God, let's us like Jesus who walked the road of the cross for the sake of the truth, and the prophet Elijah who stood against the prophets of Baal,  readily stand up for the truth at all times, even if we have to stand alone. Let's remain convinced and committed in the propagation and fulfilment of the truth of the kingdom of God, knowing fully well that God is on our side and he will never forsake us.

We pray this day that the grace of God may fall afresh upon our hearts and enkindle in us through the Holy Spirit the fire of love.

Have a glorious day!

Fr Remi osj