THROUGH UNTRUE

A few years ago, a Danish newspaper published 12 editorial cartoons that depicted the prophet Muhammad in ways that deeply offended thousands of Muslims. These cartoons were seen as degrading caricatures of Mohammed, and mocking the Quran and Allah as well. Many Muslims expressed their indignation through street demonstrations, some of which turned violent.
The newspaper's publisher defended the cartoons by claiming that these should be interpreted as satire. This literary or artistic genre often employs humor and biting sarcasm to reveal unpleasant facets of a targeted subject. However, for the Muslims, the cartoons were simply nasty, insulting, and grossly abusive.
In today's era of political correctness, diversity, and inclusivity, Catholics are a timid version of their Muslim counterparts.  Few vocally oppose those who ridicule the Catholic Church and mock its sacred symbols and teachings.
In 1993, a singer gained instant fame after tearing a picture of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live. Many Catholics refrained from objecting to such irreverence out of fear of being labeled intolerant, tyrannical, or religious bigots.
Recently, a controversy arose in the United States when the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team honored a group known as the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. This group primarily comprises gay men and individuals identifying with various sexual orientations and genders. They publicly appear dressed in religious attire resembling Catholic nuns, with their faces painted white and heavily made-up.
While many of their advocacies are praiseworthy, they perform shows that almost always involve sexualized parodies of Christian imagery, such as a drag performer who is pole dancing on a crucified Christ or ridiculing Christian doctrines and teachings on sex, gender, and morality. They intentionally distort Jesus's commandment— "Go and sin no more"— into a highly provocative phrase, "Go forth and sin SOME more."
While most of his baseball teammates were silent, Trevor Williams, who openly professes his being Catholic, shared his opinion on Twitter regarding the Los Angeles Dodgers' decision to honor this group. He expressed his respect for LGBTQ groups and their advocacy but also stated, "To invite and honor a group that blatantly and deeply offends my religion undermines the values of respect and inclusivity that any organization should uphold."
When confronted with the potential backlash his statement might bring to his career, he replied, "I must speak up for what needs to be said. I cannot remain neutral while Our Lord is being mocked. I understand that many individuals lack sympathy for the Catholic religion and will not take my words lightly, but defending my faith is my duty."
Williams's dissenting message gained over 20 million views on Twitter, serving as a wake-up call to many Catholics who tend to remain neutral even when their deeply held religious beliefs and principles are under threat. Following his lead, many Catholics held protest rallies and street marches to object to the LA Dodgers decision to honor the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
We learn a lesson regarding neutrality from Williams' refusal to keep silent amidst the blatant acts of mockery against his faith. Neutrality is not an absolute principle that must be universally applied in all disputes. In some situations, one side represents wrongdoing and evil, while the other side stands for what is right and good. Jesus did not teach us to reconcile good and evil, justice and injustice. Instead, He teaches us to reject evil and uphold truth and justice.
The gospel reading today exhorts us to do just that: "Fear no one, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known . . . Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven" (Matthew 10:26-28; 32-33).