Although I was never particularly a fan of him, Dino Melaye’s (a Nigerian politician) well-known statement captures an important truth about prophetic witness: “If you speak, you are killed; if you don’t speak, you get killed too.” These words, which were not an invitation to seek suffering, serve as a reminder that silence in the face of injustice also has consequences. If the cost of standing for truth may come either way, then courage, not fear, should shape our response, a conviction echoed in the biblical vocation of every prophet.
The liturgical readings of this weekend reinforce this same message. Elijah bravely confronted King Ahab’s injustice before encountering God in the gentle whisper on Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a), just as St. Paul speaks “the truth in Christ” despite the personal anguish it brings him (Romans 9:1-5). In the Gospel, Peter discovers that he sustains his courage not by the absence of storms but by keeping his eyes fixed on Christ (Matthew 14:22-33). These passages imply that prophetic witnessing is not loud defiance for its own sake; it is faithful obedience rooted in God’s presence and truth.
I am from Nigeria, and it’s not an overstatement to state that the country is experiencing difficult times due to bad governance and leadership. Nigeria’s ongoing social, economic, and political challenges continue to call for prophetic courage. Among several pockets of engagement, the recent engagement of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu reminds us that speaking the truth for the common good remains an essential mission of the Church. However, this responsibility belongs not only to bishops or public leaders. We all share this responsibility! Through Baptism, every Christian participates in Christ’s prophetic mission and is called to witness to truth, justice, and hope. Like Peter, we may encounter turbulent waters, but if we keep our eyes fixed on Christ, He will strengthen us to speak with charity, persevere with courage, and trust that God will accomplish His purposes in His own time.
