TEACHING, LIFE, BREAD AND PRAYERS

 

There was this story of an old man who, after back-breaking work in the fields, would drop by the church and stay there for hours each and every single day, with gaze focused on the Blessed Sacrament. The pastor sort of got curious and, one day, asked the old man what he did in church for so long every day. The old man answered the priest without batting an eyelash, “I look at Him and He looks at me, and I feel blessed for the day.”

He sure had commitment and dedication, not to mention single-mindedness. In his simple faith, the old man has taught us a whole lot aboutthose values, and a whole lot more, about prayer.

It is hard for postmoderns like us to be focused on anything. Parents would worry about a thousand and one things first thing in the morning: what the children would wear, what they would bring to school, etc. Young adults have their own share of worries: how to blend in with their peer group and still maintain their uniqueness and autonomy; their ability or otherwise to keep up with what is fashionable and cool. Name it,

we have it: issues and concerns that occupy our waking and even our sleeping thoughts.

The early Christians, a very small band of believers then, must have had their own share of worries, issues and concerns, too. They did not exactly wake up to see a society warm and cuddly towards a group of followers of Someone the authorities had just condemned to death recently. They were not exactly liked by the powers that be in those days. And given the spreading rumors that their leader had reportedly risen from the dead, they sure had to watch their back as everyone suddenly became wary of that band of believers.

But their conviction that the Lord is risen led them to commitment and dedication. We all know what it was they committed and dedicated themselves to: His teachings, the communal life, the breaking of bread, the prayers — the whole works done by a serious follower of the Risen Lord. That old man sure got his priorities right!  Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

Reflection Question:

How committed are you to live out your Christian life? What area of your spiritual life needs reinforcement?

 

Risen Lord, help me to rise up, too, and be worthy of my calling as a Christian.

 

St. Grata, pray for us.

THE STORY CONTINUES

This account of Mark’s Gospel is seen as an addition to the Gospels. It summarizes the narratives of Jesus’ resurrection found in all other Gospels. The evangelist informs us of Mary, the first eyewitness of the Risen Jesus. It tells of the unbelief and lack of faith on part of the disciples. Mark briefly informs us of the two men on the way to the village of Emmaus. Finally, we are told of the brief account of the Great Commission. We are the ones to continue the story of Jesus. We have heard the response of the disciples. What is our response? What is our experience of the Risen Lord? The Octave of Easter, celebrated in the Church these days, gives us an opportunity to meet the Risen Lord. We, too, can relate with the various characters of the resurrection narratives. The Gospel is now written through our life’s experiences. We are the ones to tell the story. Mark and the other evangelists have given us their own story — now we must do the same. Jesus has risen and has given us the command to go and spread this news. He entrusts us the mission to tell all creatures. To go to the whole world is our call — to evangelize, to make disciples of all nations. Jesus asks this from us. We are now like Mary announcing the news, like the disciples recognizing Jesus in the breaking of the bread, or even like the Eleven still unbelieving and hardened of heart. Let us imitate the evangelists in their faith as we write the story of Jesus that continues in our own lives. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL   Reflection Question: Have you met Jesus? Write down your experience of the Risen Christ.   Risen Lord, help me to be an evangelist by the way I live and tell the story of my life’s experiences. Amen.   St. Gerard Miles, pray for us.

GONE FISHING!

When it all seems too much, go fishing! That is what Peter did. It was all too much for him. He heard many stories of the Risen Lord — earthquakes and angels, and then reports of apparitions. Sometimes you just have to get away from it all. Fishing is fun. I remember many times going fishing. It was always a very relaxing, carefree and an energizing experience. I always felt sorry for the fish.

Peter resumes his familiar job. The familiar air, smell, the usual actions of boating and fishing. Moreover, it is while doing this activity that something unfamiliar happens. Poor Peter, it has been a hopeless night. Maybe he should go back to his day job, if he has one. You can imagine these men exhausted, tired, hungry and heavy  in heart. They spend the whole night with no luck — they caught nothing.

The next morning Jesus, unbeknown to them, has prepared a hearty breakfast for the boys. They tell me this is the first Christian men’s breakfast. No sooner had they been asked to cast their net by the stranger on the shore that a haul of fish is caught. Why was not Jesus there the night before? The disciple whom Jesus loves immediately recognizes. Impetuous Peter still finds it hard to come to grips with the stranger being the one and only Risen Lord.

Everything is different when Jesus is here. Fishing becomes easy. Jesus is always there, anticipating our every need. He prepares our hearts and minds with grace. He provides for all our needs. He knows the extent of our weakness. He is always calling us to put out our nets into the deep, place our trust in His goodness. Sometimes we go it alone and catch nothing. Jesus makes the difference. He speaks the Word, we listen and, out of obedience, we act and then we see the fruits. Notice it wasn’t until Jesus spoke the Word that the catch of fish became so many. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Do you listen to the voice of Jesus? Or do you go it alone?

 

Lord, You know all my ways. Help me be obedient to Your Word and I will do Your will. Amen.

 

St. Dichu, pray for us.

PEACE BE WITH YOU

 

As the disciples recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread, He vanishes from their sight. On their return to Jerusalem to announce to the disciples, Jesus stands among them. Luke adds humorous touches to the story. It is almost as if Jesus is saying, “Ha! I beat you!” Notice what Jesus does with the disciples. He bids them peace. He does not scold them for being lousy followers or for running away when He needed them most.

The Risen Christ brings peace to the troubled and weary. Jesus, at a loss as to how to convince them, asks for some fish. Have you ever eaten fish? It is not easy. Can you imagine Jesus with fish in His hands eating in their midst? How delightful!

When Jesus speaks of peace, it is a deep and lasting peace. The peace of the Risen Lord is not as the world offers in a friendly handshake. This peace extends to the fullness of well-being in mind, body and spirit. The peace (shalom) of Jesus meets the very depth of one’s soul, bringing life and goodness, rest and healing. Jesus knows they are troubled. He knows they question the reality of what they see. He shows them His hands and feet.

As Jesus spoke to the disciples on the way to Emmaus, He now speaks to the disciples, revealing to them the fulfillment of all Scriptures in Him. Their hearts must have burned as Jesus explained to them the mysteries of our faith. Having enlightened them, He now tells them to do the same: You are witnesses of these things.

As Jesus bid the disciples peace to their troubled and questioning hearts, He does the same to us. He stands among us and reassures us of His peace. We all seek peace in our lives. All of us experience trouble of one kind or another. All of us have doubts and questions in our minds. Jesus brings His love and goodness to us through His peace. His peace is healing and strength for the weary traveler.Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Why are you troubled? Why do these questions arise in your heart?

 

Lord, You have risen from the dead and You dispel all my doubts and fears. Grant me your peace. Amen.

 

St. Valeria, pray for us.

HEARTS ON FIRE!

The two disciples on the way to Emmaus are down in the dumps. They return to their original village. The evangelist tells us that they are discussing the events of the last few days: the arrest, crucifixion, death and reports of Jesus risen from the dead. In their depression, they debate and converse with each other. They are unaware of the one who walks beside them. They are so sad they cannot recognize Jesus, the one whom they are referring to in their conversation. Notice the reaction of the disciples when Jesus asks them what they are discussing. They are downcast. Are you the only one who does not know what has been happening? Are you blind? Are you unaware? In fact, Jesus is the only one who knows what is going on. As they talk to Jesus, they repeat the bad and sad news. Actually, they do not realize that it is good news!

Therefore, Jesus takes center stage as He also joins in the discussion, this time speaking of all the Scriptures referring to Him. Luke informs us that their hearts burn within as Jesus gives them the first ever catechism of the Catholic Church. I would love to have been there on the road to Emmaus. Only at the breaking of the bread, the familiar gesture at the Last Supper, do they realize it has been Jesus all along. How slow they have been to realize. Just when they get it, he disappears from their sight.

All of us are on a journey. Not to Emmaus but to the center of our hearts. We hear again Jesus speaking His Word to us. At every Eucharist,Jesus speaks His Word and breaks bread for us in the person of the priest. Jesus reveals His presence to us as He did at Emmaus. Our eyes need to be open to see Him truly in our midst under the guise of bread and His Word. Notice in the story the journey does not end. In fact, the two disciples are very excited to continue their journey — all the way back to Jerusalem. They are no longer sad but bearers of the Good News of God’s Love. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Does you heart burn in love for Jesus?

 

Come, Holy Sprit, enkindle within me the fire of your love in the breaking of the bread and Word in the Eucharist. Amen.

 

St. Winewald, pray for us.

CALLED BY NAME

Mary is weeping. The body of Jesus has been taken away and she does not know where it is. She was hoping that she would see the body once more. Her hopes were shattered. Her dreams vanished. In her sadness, she became blind to the presence of Jesus. She thinks He is the gardener. Then something amazing happens. Immediately, fear is dispelled, dreams are fulfilled and hope is once again made strong. Jesus calls her by that familiar name — Mary. Hearing His voice and seeing Him again must have overwhelmed  her heart. Jesus, the Risen Savior, speaks her name. As she seeks to hold on to Him, Jesus reminds her that she must tell the news to the others. Mary announces to the followers that she had seen the Lord. We, too, must pray for the same grace that we hear the Risen Lord call out our name. We, too, must announce with conviction that we have seen the Lord. We, too, have heard Him call out our name. He is the loving and merciful Lord. He is the good Shepherd who knows each of us by name. The sheep hear His voice and follow Him. If Jesus were to reveal Himself to you in person, how would you address Him? For Mary, it was Teacher, the familiar name she knew. Who is the risen Lord for you? Ask Him to reveal Himself as Lord and Savior. Open your eyes and see Him in those you meet, in the daily events of your life. He is willing to reveal Himself to you if only you ask Him and call upon His name, the only name in which we find healing, hope, forgiveness of sin and salvation.  Fr. Brian Steele, MGL   Reflection Question: Hear Jesus call you by name.   Lord, let me hear You calling out my name. Remove my blindness that I may see You as Lord, Savior, Redeemer, Friend and the Good Shepherd. Amen.   St. Franca Visalta, pray for us.

HE IS RISEN

 

The Gospel account can make us realize the evil intent of the chief priests. We already know that they had a very strong influence on the people to have Jesus crucified. Repeatedly, throughout Jesus’ life, they were always harassing Him and seeking to do away with this “upstart” from Galilee. Now even the guards cannot convince the chief priests that Jesus has truly risen. Nothing was going to convince them; they had already closed their minds to the truth.

Can you imagine the guards stuttering their message to the chief priests? Earthquake. Angel. Lightning. No body. They were like dead men as they saw the angel move the stone from the tomb. They saw and they heard everything. Dumbfounded and utterly amazed, they were the first to evangelize the authorities. The chief priests, in their ignorance, bribe them with the use of money to cover up this so-called nonsense of a dead man risen. The bribe was taken and they, too, joined the chief priests in their wickedness. Matthew adds his comment to the reader that the story of the stolen body is circulated among the Jews to this day.

It is a terrible thing to close one’s mind to the truth. Nothing will convince one who has already made friends with ignorance. However, the fact is that Jesus has risen and, in this Easter Octave, we, too, have an opportunity to meet the risen Lord. He had not been stolen. He is truly risen! I am sure that as the women blurted out the story of the resurrection,there may have been closed minds. Women were a minority group in the Jewish society. They were often unnoticed and poorly attended. It is no wonder that Jesus’ kindness and openness caused many women to become His disciples. As the women came back that day to report all that had happened, I am sure their testimony fell on deaf ears. How can a dead man rise again? How can an angel roll away the large stone from a tomb? Had they, too, been bewitched? Had they been hallucinating? Was it only a figment of their imagination? Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Do you feel like the women or the guards in today’s Gospel?

 

I rejoice in the wonder of Your resurrection. Help me, Lord, to live with this truth in my life. Amen.

 

St. Mella, pray for us.

HE SAW AND BELIEVED

Could you imagine the utter shock that Mary experienced at finding the tomb empty? The first thing she does is to seek the leader of the apostles, Peter, and tell him this devastating news: They have taken Him away and we do not know where they had put Him. It was sad enough to see Him suffer and die on the cross, and then find Him missing from the tomb. The least they could do was go and prepare the body as a last act of loyal and faithful love to the One who meant so much to them. Now all hope is lost. Jesus is gone.

Notice in this narrative the beautiful primacy given to Peter? He is the first to be told about the missing Jesus. Then he is the first to see that the clothes are not there. The one who, only a few days ago, denied Jesus is at odds as to understand what he sees. The other disciple, on the other hand, went in and saw the clothes were not there. He saw and believed. The whole point of the Gospel of John is that seeing is believing. For that other disciple, no proof is needed of Jesus rising — to see was enough for him to believe. To see nothing was to believe everything. He saw and believed.

Such devastating news of the missing body turns out to be good news that shook the world in its foundations. Christ has risen! This is the greatest news ever told. Christ has risen. This is the greeting the Russian Orthodox exchange on this day of Easter. Christ has risen. He has truly risen! Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

How would you respond if you went to the empty tomb? Would you doubt or would you believe?

 

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His mercy endures forever. Amen.

 

St. Sabas, pray for us.

RISEN FROM THE DEAD

 

Can this be the same Jesus who, only a few days ago, was seen crucified and dead upon the cross? After seeing Jesus, Matthew tells us the women went away quickly, fearful yet overjoyed. They could not believe their eyes for what they saw, and their ears for what they heard. It was a remarkable sight. A dead man rose again! Matthew gives us a dramatic account of the resurrection. There is earthquake and lightning. A huge stone is rolled away from the tomb by an angel. The guards shake with fright.

This is the night of nights where, at the Easter vigil, we celebrate life and light. The Exsultet makes a wonderful reflection as the Church sings with joy the mighty work of God in raising Jesus from the dead. This night is holy and full of symbolism in its liturgy. Notice it was at dawn when the women went to the tomb. They wanted to be the first at the tomb to wash and anoint the body, knowing that they were running out of time before Sabbath came. When they reached the tomb, there was no body to anoint. An angel appeared in their midst and told them that the crucified Lord had risen. As they saw for themselves the empty tomb and the risen Christ, their lives were never the same.

Do not be afraid! This is the call of the angel and then of Jesus Himself. There is no need to fear. All fears have been dispelled through Christ’s rising from the tomb.

Why approach the tomb? The angel tells us He is not there. Some of us live as though He is still there, dead and buried. It is true, our sin is dead and buried, thanks be to God, but a new life awaits us. “Go and tell the brothers,” exclaims Jesus, as they did Him homage.

The chains of death have been broken. The triumphant resurrection of Christ has destroyed sin. It is time for us to wake up from sleep for a new day is at hand. Let us walk in the light of this night. Let our faces not be ashamed for He has risen as He has said and He is going before us. Let us run to Him and worship and adore the Risen Christ. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Have you risen with Christ or are you still in the tomb?

 

Lord, I believe that You are raised from the dead. Thank You for the new life You gave me through Your saving death and resurrection. Amen.

 

St. Felix, Fortunatus & Achilleus, pray for us.

THE SUFFERING SERVANT

 

The First Reading is the third of four servant songs. These songs in Isaiah point to Jesus as the “suffering Servant.” The servant was the “trusted envoy.” Deeply embedded in the psyche of the Israelites was the notion that the Messiah would come to save his people. He would overthrow the Roman forces and there would be a time of peace and security among the people. As Jesus’ life and ministry unfold, many see Him as the fulfillment of the messianic prophecies. Some, even up to this day, do not believe that Jesus is Messiah and so are still waiting for Him to come. In Old Testament history, Cyrus, the Persian military official, was one such messiah. King David, also believed by many in his time, was to be a messiah figure, too. Cyrus delivered Israel from Babylon but the servant would deliver the world from sin.

There is stark contrast between the servant and the nation of Israel. The servant speaks to the weary assisting the weak. Israel is so proud of their successes and shuns the weak from their midst. The servant responds to the voice of God. His ear is open. Israel is not responsive to the voice of God. The servant is obedient while Israel is disobedient and turns away from the Lord in ignorance and rebellion. The servant gladly suffers all for the sake of the Lord. His punishment is the just reward for the sins of Israel. The servant trusts in the Lord, unlike Israel who puts hope in foreign nations not lifting their eyes to God who sustains. The servant trusts that God will vindicate him, for revenge belongs to God.

We, too, are servants of the Lord God. Sometimes we suffer for the right cause. Sometimes we want to take revenge for the ingratitude shown to us. Nevertheless, the Lord is our hope. The suffering servant gives us an example of what it is to be a disciple. Morning by morning, our ears and eyes are to be open to His will in our lives. Every day is an opportunity to grow in our service to the Lord. Let us not grow weary of doing good. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Do I suffer for the Lord? How?

 

Lord, let me be Your servant. Let me walk with You as the suffering servant. Amen.

 

St. Francis Page, pray for us.

PETER AND JUDAS

 

Peter and Judas are the main characters in the Gospel today. We know that Peter was to deny Jesus at His arrest while Judas despaired that He had betrayed innocent blood. Two disciples close to Jesus sadly give way to disloyalty and unfaithfulness. However, Jesus is the loving and compassionate Lord. In the end, we know that Peter renewed his faith in the Lord while Judas, unable to come to grips that the Lord would ever forgive him, took his life in his own hands.

To eat bread together was a high form of fellowship in the Jewish culture. As Jesus broke bread and shared (His body) this was tantamount to saying, “I will be loyal to you and I commit myself to you in friendship. I will never hurt you.” In this light, we see what an evil act it was for Judas (knowing what was going to happen) to take the bread from the Master’s hand with the intent of betraying Jesus. I once heard that both Peter andJudas had potential to be great leaders. Peter repented and became a great leader of the Church and the early community. What a waste of life for Judas. If pride had not stolen his heart, he could have repented and found a place, too, in Jesus’ mission.

As we read the Gospel today, we can relate with these two men. Oftentimes we, too, are caught in denial of the Lord. For example, how often have we listened to gossip and not walked away, or willingly participated? How often have we had a chance to defend the teachings of the Church, or the good act of someone and chosen to be quiet or not take action? This is a denial that we are followers of the Lord, or even Christians for that matter.

Or perhaps when life seems so hard, we despair and doubt the goodness of the Lord. How many times have we betrayed the Lord through sin, through ill-treatment of another or have shown disrespect to family members? In this Gospel, we learn how easy we can turn away from the Lord, even if we boast that we will follow the Lord come what may. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Have I denied the Lord? Have I betrayed Him?

 

Lord, I repent of the ways I have denied Your existence in my life or even for the times I have betrayed You through careless acts and words. Forgive me as I trust in Your loving mercy. Amen.

 

St. Ursmar, pray for us.

FRAGRANT OFFERING TO THE LORD

 

The woman takes a great risk as she enters the house that Jesus visits. She is ritually unclean, according to Jewish custom, because of her colorful life. As a woman used to engaging in physical intimacies with a man, she puts her life at risk of being expelled from the praying community. She does what is strictly taboo by letting down her hair in public, an abominable sight to those who witness this act. Nevertheless, does Jesus care?

For Jesus, this is a wonderful and affectionate act of love and worship. She has found that the man whom she anoints has forgiven her and He is unlike any other man she has known before. With the strength of affection, the woman’s display is nothing but a lavish gesture of devotion and thanksgiving. The room is filled with the fragrance of the oil. The disciples are aghast at the costliness of the act and Jesus accepts it all as part of the woman’s trust in the Lord. The act is prophetic, preparing the body of Jesus for its burial.

The woman gives us a perfect example of what it is to love the Lord, no matter what the cost. He has paid an enormous price in giving His life for us. What shall we give to the Lord in return for all the good He has done for us? In the scheme of things, the expensive nard is nothing compared to the cost Jesus has paid for us, the price of His blood. Let us be lavish in our affection and devotion to the Lord. Let us not be shy in showing Him the extent of love that is due to Him. As we enter the Holy Week, let us make a hundredfold return to the Lord for the favors He has done in our life. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

What will I offer to the Lord?

 

Lord, I offer my life to You as a living sacrifice of praise. Amen.

 

St. Agia, pray for us.

PASSION OF CHRIST, STRENGTHEN ME

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DO NOT MISUSE THE LORD’S NAME

 

Blasphemy is a disrespectful attitude towards the character of God. It is the improper use of God’s name. The Israelites were very conscious of this: to use the name of God in vain was a serious sin. Even to pronounce the name “God” was held in utmost respect. That is why they used the term “Yahweh” (YHWH), an abbreviated term meaning “Lord God.” In recent times, Pope Benedict XVI has recommended that the Church change names of songs with the word Yahweh (e.g. “Yahweh, I Know You Are Near”) out of respect towards the holy name of God. Too often in our own lives, we tend to use the name of God rather casually in speech.

Blasphemy was the sin that ultimately provoked the authorities to crucify Jesus. He claimed to be Messiah, which, according to them, was an improper use of the name of God. He even said that He was the son of God, something that absolutely infuriated the crowds. Moreover, Jesus states those awesome words, “I AM”— the only words attributed to the Lord God. Remember at the burning bush, God disclosed His name to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM.”

The punishment due to blasphemy was stoning. It was a capital crime and the community had the right to punish this act by stoning. In the Gospel, the Jews picked up rocks to stone Him. St. Stephen, the first martyr for the faith, was stoned to death. Paul himself experienced this punishment in his life. Jesus is stoned for speaking the truth. He is misunderstood and they seek to arrest Him. John tells us that Jesus escapes from their power.

The respect the Jews showed towards the name of God should be a lesson for us. How often do I casually mention the Lord’s name? Do I recognize this as blasphemy? Anything other than worship and adoration of the Lord’s name is blasphemy. We, as Christians, need to be exceedingly vigilant in the way we relate with others as regards our speech, never calling on the name of the Lord in false ways. Let our conduct as Christians be always worthy of the name of the Lord. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Do I use the Lord’s name in vain? For example, “Oh God!” or the famous Filipino expression,

 

“Susmaryosep! (Jesus-Maria-Joseph!)” Blessed be Your holy name, Lord Jesus. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love You. Save souls. Amen.

 

St. Mundus, pray for us.

BLESSED IS YOUR NAME

Do you know that your name has a wonderful identity? Your name is special. Given to you at birth, your name has marked you out as an incredible human being. Your name is significant and worthy of much respect in the eyes of God. So what is in a name?

You will notice that throughout the Bible, people have a new name given to them. For example, in today’s first reading, Abram is called Abraham. Later on Sarai becomes Sarah. The names of the figures in the Old Testament signify a special service that these people will perform before the Lord. Even in the New Testament, we see Jesus giving new names to His people: Simon becomes Peter, Levi becomes Matthew and Saul becomes Paul, the great missionary to the Gentiles.

Abram, “exalted father,” becomes Abraham “father of many nations.” He becomes our “father in the faith.” In the person of Abraham, we see such humble obedience and submission to the Lord God. This is why the religious authorities and other Jews of Jesus’ day (and even nowadays) highly respect and honor their father, Abraham.

God makes a covenant with Abraham, the sign being that of circumcision. This was to symbolize that they are a people consecrated to the Lord, set apart and belonging to God. Constantly, we hear the summons of the prophets, “I will be your God and you will be my people.”

The story of Abraham is a wonderful story full of morals for us. Ever since Abram was called by God to leave his homeland, his whole journey was a pilgrimage of faith in the Lord. We learn of his complete and utter trust in the Lord even to the point of giving up his son for the Lord. He is an exemplar to us in his faith, hope and trust in the Lord.

The one who trusts in the Lord receives many blessings. Are we willing to completely trust in the Lord, even if it means giving up the things that we most love and admire? If we place our trust in the Lord, the God of Abraham will certainly reward us. Let us not hesitate to place our trust in the Lord. Hope in Him and you will see Him act in your life. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

What is your name? What does it mean?

 

Thank You, Lord, for the wonder of my name. In Your holy name, I am blessed. Amen.

 

St. Ardalion, pray for us.

THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE

 

The tension is mounting between Jesus and the Jews. As time ticks away, Jesus is trying to win over the crowd to the truth. However, it seems to no avail. He came unto His own and His own would not accept Him, as John tells us in the prologue, the beginning of His Gospel.

Throughout His life, Jesus has laboriously defended His Father and the cause of truth. He has tried to elude them from the grasp of Satan. If only they have eyes that see and hearts that believe, they would certainly put their hope in Jesus, the Son of God, and the truth would set them free. As it is, the Jews find themselves bound up in their stubbornness and ignorance. They proudly call themselves descendants of Abraham, yet in boasting of this truth, they fail to see that Jesus, Son of the Jews, is also a descendant of this father of faith.

The greatest tragedy that Jesus experienced up to the point of  His death is that of ignorance of the truth. Even Pilate questioned Jesus about truth. Pilate, seemingly sidelined by the authorities of the day, gives in to popular demand rather than the truth. Often those who stand on the side of the truth are the minority, which is why they are seemingly unpopular. Every day, we are fed with lies. It is so common that oftentimes, we forget what the truth is even if it really matters. Little white lies turn into big black lies, dishonesty turns into corruption, and falsehood in turn produces the blind eye of ignorance.

“Truth” in the Bible denotes the quality of faithfulness and reliability. When we speak of God’s truth, it is the loving faithfulness of God that we are referring to. Truth is also the reliable knowledge in the factual sense. When Jesus speaks of Himself as the Truth, the truth here means the loving faithfulness of God. Jesus prays at the Last Supper that His disciples be sanctified in the truth (John 17). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth who stands by Christ and witnesses to the truth. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Am I living on the side of truth or am I living a life of lies?

 

Lord, teach me the truth for it is this that will set me free. Amen.

 

St. Carpus, pray for us.