But They Remained Silent

Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

Piety

“Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”  But they remained silent.  Mark 3:4

Study

Jesus challenges the Pharisees (and all of us) to do something about evil in the world.  This challenge also is rooted in the Hebrew Bible. 

You, son of man—I have appointed you as a sentinel for the house of Israel; when you hear a word from my mouth, you must warn them for me.  When I say to the wicked, “You wicked, you must die,” and you do not speak up to warn the wicked about their ways, they shall die in their sins, but I will hold you responsible for their blood.  If, however, you warn the wicked to turn from their ways, but they do not, then they shall die in their sins, but you shall save your life.  Ezekiel 33:7-9

Also, in the book of the prophet Jeremiah (1:17), we are challenged to speak up:  “But you, prepare yourself; stand up and tell them all that I command you.  Do not be terrified on account of them, or I will terrify you before them.”

The Pharisees are hiding behind the law in order to avoid the challenge of doing something to help those in need.

Action

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”  This quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., also reminds us all to refrain from keeping silent – to speak up when we encounter injustice.  Dr. King reminded us not to sit on the sidelines of life and watch injustice; rather we need to speak out and consciously push back against it.