“Truth is truth to the end of reckoning,” William Shakespeare.
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A trio of stories concerning Truth.
The Devil
One day the devil was walking along with one of his demons when they saw a man ahead of them bend down and pick up something shiny. “What did he find?” asked the demon. “A piece of the Truth,” answered the devil.
“Doesn't it worry you that he has found a piece of the Truth?”
“Not at all,” replied the Devil, “I will see to it that he makes a religion out of it.”
The Devil does not care if we have only a piece of the truth because he is a master at twisting the Truth into falsehood. Many of teachings of the Church are attacked, not because they are deemed untrue, but because they are deemed insensitive and out of touch with reality.
Is the Church behind the times? Or more precisely, are Church teachings behind the times?
This is a complaint we hear frequently, claims that the teachings of the Church are outdated and need to keep up with the times. In this era of subjectivity and relativism, we abhor anything or anyone that cliams to know anything with absolute certainty.
We must remember that the “teachings of the Church,” or to put it another way, the Truth, does not belong to the Church. The Truth belongs to God. It is the duty and responsibility of the Church, the bride of Christ, to teach the Truth to God’s children.
The teachings of the Church cannot be behind the times because they are the teachings of God and God transcends time.
These Truth is supported by three pillars; Scripture, the Word of God; Tradition, handed down to us by God in the flesh; and the Magisterium, composed of successors to the apostles personally appointed by God. Each of these is so inter-related that one cannot stand without the other two, and where one is present, the other two are also there.
This is what we mean by absolute Truth. It is a truth that cannot be mitigated by personal preferences, perspectives, or individual conscience. The idea that there is an absolute, transcendent Truth is not popular these days but that does not make it any less True.
Naked Truth
Truth and Falsehood were out walking one day. The day was getting warm and they looked for a cool shady spot in order to rest. They found such a spot, and nearby was an inviting pool of clear fresh water.
“Why don't we go for a swim?” suggested Falsehood. Truth agreed, shed her clothes, and jumped into the water. When she looked back, Falsehood was also removing his clothing.
But instead of joining her, Falsehood proceeded to don the discarded clothing of Truth, and then ran away. Truth left the pond, not bothering with the clothing Falsehood had left behind, and ran after her.
But Falsehood had vanished. Truth tried to ask passersby if they had seen her but everyone she approached recoiled and ran away, horrified at the sight of naked Truth. Truth finally went back to her pond were she is still hidden away from the sight of men, while Falsehood parades around the world in the clothing of Truth.
In today's society truth has become increasingly relative. Everyone advocates for their own perception of what is true. But there are absolutes in the world. There is absolute Truth, there is absolute Beauty, and there is absolute Goodness. And, yes, there is absolute evil. To believe otherwise fools only ourselves.
When the Church takes a position on faith and morals, it is conveying to us the Truth revealed to Her by God. If this Truth angers us or agitates us, or if we simply disagree with it, perhaps it is a sign that we should discover the reasoning behind the Church's position. We have more resources available to us today than at any point in history, finding out the reason for the Church's stance on such subjects as abortion, sex outside of marriage, and euthanasia has never been easier. Are we willing to find the reason behind the Truth and consider that our contrary opinion may simply be wrong? Or will we cling to our opinion, in spite of all arguments to the contrary and “make a religion” out our falsehoods?
Abraham Lincoln
President Abraham Lincoln was once having a heated dispute with a man who did not understand that there are absolute truths. Finally in exasperation Lincoln asked the man “how many legs does a cow have?”
“Four of course,” replied the man.
“That's right,” said Lincoln. “Now suppose you call the cow's tail a leg, then how many legs does it have.?”
“Five,” said the man confidently.
“You see,” said Lincoln, “That;s where you are wrong. Calling a cow's tail a leg, doesn't make it a leg.”
It is to our bishops that the responsibility falls to pass on the Truth, the teachings of God. And the bishops share this authority with their priests. And our priests, particularly our pastors, take this responsibility very seriously, for they are charged with the care of souls.
This responsibility extends to all of us, for we are told to go and spread the Good News to all the world. We too are included in the warning God gives to the kings of Israel. “Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture.”
Pax Vobiscum
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“The Resurrection” © Lawrence Klimecki
Pontifex University is an online university offering a Master’s Degree in Sacred Arts. For more information visit the website at www.pontifex.university
Lawrence Klimecki, MSA, is a deacon in the Diocese of Sacramento. He is a public speaker, writer, and artist, reflecting on the intersection of art and faith and the spiritual “hero’s journey” that is part of every person’s life. He maintains a blog at www.DeaconLawrence.org and can be reached at Lawrence@deaconlawrence.com
Lawrence draws on ancient Christian tradition to create new contemporary visions of sacred art. For more information on original art, prints and commissions, Please visit www.DeaconLawrence.org
Purchase fine art prints of Deacon Lawrence’s work here.
