Washing hands. Who thought it could be so controversial that it would lead to the death of a prominent Hungarian scientist. While we, as children, had it drilled into us to wash our hands before meals, this apparently was not an accepted practice in the mid-19th Century. Not only was this not commonly done before meals at that time in history, but it was not done prior to medical procedures. Including obstetrics. During the early to mid Nineteenth Century there was a very high incidence of death in new Mothers following the birth of their children. By some reports there was as high as an 18% mortality rate in post partum women. The condition, commonly know as “Childbed Fever” was seen as infections of the female reproductive tract following ostectrical procedures.
Enter Ignaz Semmelweis. In 1847 he proposed that doctors wash their hands before any obstetric procedure with Chlorinated lime solution. It should be noted here that doctors frequently went from doing autopsies to directly engaging working with women delivering babies. The result? No surprise now. Mortally rates went from 18% to less than 2%. Now you would think that these results would have resulted in Dr. Semmelweis becoming a leader in his field and honored with prestigious rewards. You would be wrong. Semmelweis was ridiculed and driven to emotional breakdown and incarceration in mental institutions. Where he died from beatings by the hospital staff. His book, written on his findings ini 1861, was not accepted. It was not until Louis Pasteur discovered the infectious cause of disease that Semmelweis’ theories gained widespread acceptance.
Semmelweis has good company in today’s readings. In today’s first reading from Jeremiah we see the prophet fighting for his life. He has spoken the words God gave him to speak to the leaders of people of Judah. He warns the people of Judah, especially the King, princes and religious leaders that they are bound for destruction unless they repent to the Lord of all the evil they had done in committing sin, following pagan gods and drifting away from God. The people’s response? To try to kill Jeremiah. He pleads his case that these are not his words but the words God gave him to speak. The civil leaders relent but the religious leaders press on to have him killed. Where have I heard this story before? Through the support of Ahikam, a high ranking temple official, Jeramiah is saved.
John the Baptist. We all know the famous story of how King Herod promised the daughter of his illegitimate wife, Herodias, anything she wanted as a reward for her dancing at the King’s banquet. Herodias despised John because it was John who spoke publicly about Herod and Herodias’ illegitimate marriage. Her daughter, at the behest of her Mother, asks for, and receives, the head of John the Baptist on a platter.
Truth. An almost forgotten virtue. I found same great quotes about truth when doing research for this reflection:
“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.”
― Joe Klaas,
“Never tell the truth to people who are not worthy of it.”
― Mark Twain
“A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”
― Mark Twain
“The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.”
― Flannery O’Connor
Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged that Facebook censored posts. Particularly those related to the COVID pandemic. The BBC and certain US news outlets were found to have edited interviews to have the information better fit their narrative of political situations. It has been said that truth goes through three stages: 1) people laugh at it. 2) people get angry over it and then 3) people accept it as obvious. Speaking the truth at times is seen as a courageous and brave act. Whistleblowers often face ridicule and being ostracized for speaking the truth. Lies and distortion of the truth is often directed at the pro-life community denying that there is life in the womb or life beginning at conception. Some have characterized the fetus as a parasite and arguing that Mothers should not be forced to care for an infant in the womb.
We live in a culture that claims that there is no one truth. Everyone exists with their own truth. Truth is relative. But we as Catholic Christians know that real truth comes from God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us that “the truth will set you free”. Paul says to the Ephesians: “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” And John says (not me…THE John): “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
So, in the end, we speak the truth as it originates with God and His Son. We learn this truth through the Scriptures and the teachings of the Church. Without staying planted in truth, though it may present significant challenges, our foundations in life shift beneath us. We sway with the ways of the present culture at the time. Not moving ahead in a straight course but wavering across the sea as if without a steady rudder. Hold strong to the truth, and you will never have to remember lies.
God and the Truth vs the great deceiver. The Father of lies. I know whose side I choose.
