Keep going – speak truth, trust God!
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time – August 30, 2026
I once heard Fr Richard Rohr OFM say that there are many churches named Christ the King but none as Christ the Prophet. It says something.
But, what is a prophet? They are truth tellers about today’s reality: who warn us about tomorrow, and how to avoid negative consequences by changing our ways today. We prefer being Kings! But “Kings” only last if they are first a prophet: a person of truth. A true King must be willing to listen to, and speak, the truth; or they’ll soon lose their kingship.
As students, we don’t like the teacher telling us (or our parents) the truth about our behaviour. Religious men and women don’t like being corrected. Husbands and wives don’t like it when they tell each other the hard truths about their behaviour. We all become defensive and justify with words like: “ha, if you didn’t do such and such, I wouldn’t have to annoy you.”
The President was not happy when the Gen-Z told the truth about his Government. The Bishops were not happy when the President of the Law Society of Kenya berated them for remaining silent during the 2024 protests. The employee does not like correction. However, it’s only through correction that our families, communities & us as individuals, can avoid suffering.
Jeremiah speaks to the reality of many of us: he’s endured the bitter fruit of telling the truth and remaining true to the Faith and God’s Word. Here we see a moment of frustration, weakness or loss of hope. This is true for all of us: Jeremiah’s honesty can encourage us to know that God understands and is ready to listen to our “complaints” for speaking the truth & being criticised!
It can also prepare us in advance to be ready for the criticism and the push back from people who don’t want to hear the truth. When I think of the state of Kenya today, the economic hardships, the loss of employment, the poorly functioning medical system and hunger; I feel especially concerned for the young people. It’s difficult to stay motivated to concentrate on school, university or developing a healthy family relationships, unless… we have God.
I’m inspired, and encouraged, by the resilience of many of our youth members: their courage, perseverance and belief that God will get them through. And most still find time to assist other people: not just family but neighbours and strangers wherever they live. These are prophets who speak loudly by their courage, perseverance, kindness and presence to each other.
The other day I saw a young lady with words on her T-shirt: “keep going”. That is what God says to us today: let your passion for justice and truth burn within you; burn with a fierce determination not to cave in and become like “everyone” else. The speaker at our youth leaders training reminded the young people that they can change the direction of this country.
This very message is gently encouraged by St Paul in the 2nd Reading when he says: “…Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world …but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind.” This new mind means, don’t listen to others who have lost hope and say “why bother voting?” This new mind means “don’t copy the corrupt practices” of so many people in our Government, who refuse to do their work unless there is kitu kidogo.
Let us be the prophetic example that inspires others to change and be like us. Kenya’s situation today is because, for too long, many in our previous generations have been afraid to speak up. We see this in the Gospel where Peter tried to dissuade Jesus… insisting He should not put himself in danger. But, unfortunately, we must sacrifice today for a good tomorrow.
To the young men, especially, remember what a man truly is: one who protects and who provides. The women of Kenya are holding our society together by caring for the children and youth. Let young men be courageous and not take the easy way out to follow the crowd. St Paul encourages us to be strong and make a difference. And, with God, I know you can.
Jesus is telling His disciples (present tense) that following Him means sacrifice: sometimes losing comfort, popularity, or even safety. But the alternative is worse. May God give all of us the courage to stand up against bullying, refuse bribes and choose integrity. At the end of the day, difficult as it may be, you will smile with pride: for you have made a difference.
Young people in High School: oppose peer pressure by staying with the right friends. Young people in university: keep one foot inside the Church to save your identity. Those in employment: maintain our integrity by encouraging others to protect their employers from whom we depend for a salary: if they crash, we will all go hungry.
Kushika Rada: remain faithful to our Christian morals and transform those around us: in this way you are a prophet becoming a King: transforming society so there is enough for all. Let us not allow our frustration cause us to lose hope, but trust that our God is working with us.
By Gerard Conlan, OMI