K Karpen: "When the Truth Hurts" (Sermon for July 14, 2024)

"Immediately Salome rushed back to the king and requested, 'I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.' " Mark 6Sometimes the truth hurts. How often do you avoid saying something, even when something needs to be said, because you don't want to risk a friendship, a work situation, a family relationship?John the Baptist, famously, has trouble keeping his mouth shut. He calls things the way he sees them. He speaks the truth, even when the truth might hurt. It certainly ends up hurting him!In our contentious political, religious and cultural climate, how do we speak truth in a way it can be heard? How do we call out a racist, sexist, homophobic, comment or action in a way that adds to the amount of love and justice in the world? That's what John's story is making me think about.Join us Sunday, in person or on livestream.K