4th Sunday after Easter 14.5.17 Truth
Truth can be objective, as in 2+2=4, a fact which remains
true whatever anyone says or thinks.
Or it can be subjective, as in ‘spinach pie is the best food
anywhere’, which may be true for one person but not another.
In the spiritual world, at the level of faith and morality,
the objective truth is more likely to apply.
For example, God exists, whether or not anyone says or
thinks so. And so with other truths in our creeds and catechisms.
The Holy Spirit helps us to believe these truths, convinces
us of them; confirms us in them. He also helps us to think in the right way,
and to see how one truth fits in with another.
It can be hard to perceive the truth amid so much falsehood;
and harder still to hold onto that truth when put under pressure, such as
persecution or ridicule.
We should be so immersed in these beliefs that we know them and
trust them, as well as we can count from one to ten, or say our own name.
Just as we learn certain things by repetition, so we repeat
over and over the wonders God has worked in our midst. This the Church does in
the psalms and the Liturgy.
Why do we say the same things all the time, re-tell the same
stories? Because they are true, and we take them to heart,
claim them for ourselves.
Then we can be like the apostles and martyrs, who could face
anything for the sake of Christ, even torture and death.
We build up a store of faith, from which we can draw as
needed. We do this in the quiet times, so we can deal with the turbulent times.
Built on rock not sand (Mt 7,24-27).
We have enough material to draw upon – our history, rich in
miracles and saints; so many great teachers and writers; it is all around if we
are discerning as to what we take in. And there also the Holy Spirit will help
us separate the wheat from the chaff.
Our belief should be strong enough that nothing will shake
it; and we have enough left over to share it with others. Go out to the whole
world… (Mt 28,19).
The Truth will assert itself, and continue to do so until either
people repent, or there is the final separation of sheep and goats at the end
of time (Mt 25, 31-46).
We are warned how difficult it might be. We have hit the
turbulence. You may be the only one in your family or workplace who believes
the truth, and you will be subject to ridicule, but this is part of the
process.
Hold on anyway because it is the truth, and there is nowhere
else to go (Jn 6, 68). And you may help someone else to convert.
We have to get those memory cells working. We repeat and
repeat the wonders the Lord has done. He has set His people free; He has
watched over them at every place and time.
Many have forgotten where they started or where they are
going. They have lost their way, but the way
is still there.
The casualty rate is very high, but many can still be
retrieved. This is the Fatima message.
We keep the memories alive, and we will have the strength we
need for any need.
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