Deacon Matt offers commentary in this week's edition of the
Catholic News Herald.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Eccl 3:1). So begins the best-known passage in the Book of Ecclesiastes. Among the litany of appointed times is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (3:7). For many today, especially people of color, the addition of George Floyd’s name to the lengthy roll of black victims of police brutality means the time for silence has passed. Now is a time to speak. But for some to speak others must be silent. If everyone speaks at once, no one’s voice is heard.