What is truth?

John 18:37 So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king.^* For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

^r38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”^s

Truth has been on my mind a lot lately. In this political season, we have so much “information” being fed to us. News, commercials and political memes try to lead our mind, ideas and vote.

Do they still teach about primary and secondary sources in school? The primary source might be a court document, but it couldn’t be an article about the court case that was a secondary source. (btw: SNOPES is NOT a primary source) I find it’s getting much more difficult with the seemingly infinite volume of information and ideas available now through the Internet to discover the truth of a matter.

My husband told me about a “news” story he read that turned out to be fake the other day. A coworker at lunch related the story of the “hanging chad” 2000 election and with conviction told “facts” that may or may not have been exactly as I remembered them.

I just heard a story, about a woman who confessed gossiping to a priest who gave her the following penance: go home and get a feather pillow, take it to the top of the church bell tower, open it up and throw all of the feathers over. When she was finished she went back to the priest and told him she had done it. He then told her to go to town and gather ALL of the feathers back up and put them back into the pillow. 

Once a story is told, whether truth or fiction, you can’t get it back. It’s out there and some may continue to retell it. Maybe they’ll add some flair to the story for effect or to advance their beliefs among others.

I find myself increasingly disturbed and frustrated as I cannot trust news sources – I find myself looking up to heaven and asking the same question Pontius Pilate asked Jesus “What is truth?” I find that I am becoming cynical, like Pilate, that truth is elusive and subjective.

Jesus said: “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” John 18:37 and “I am the way and the truth^* and the life” John 14:6 and I remember where the truth is: http://www.usccb.org/bible/ I go there every morning and then march through this crazy world full blustery winds of ideas and information. I beg God to help me, to guide me and I thank Him for wanting to.

The Fighting Cocks and the Eagle

TWO GAME COCKS were fiercely fighting for the mastery of the farmyard. One at last put the other to flight. The vanquished Cock skulked away and hid himself in a quiet corner, while the conqueror, flying up to a high wall, flapped his wings and crowed exultingly with all his might. An Eagle sailing through the air pounced upon him and carried him off in his talons. The vanquished Cock immediately came out of his corner, and ruled henceforth with undisputed mastery.

Pride goes before destruction.

Aesop's Fables - Translated by George Fyler Townsend. Aesop's Fables (p. 29). Amazon Digital Services, Inc..

Mary, an example of holy humility

And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever."

Mary's Magnificat

The Greatest in the Kingdom

 

Matthew, Chapter 18

1^a At that time the disciples^* approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”2He called a child over, placed it in their midst,3^b and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,^* you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.4^c Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.5^* And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

Matthew, chapter 18

Wounded Heart

I've lost a daughter,
not to death,
not to drugs,
but to pride.

I recognize the finality in death and many times drugs, and there is a chance that my situation is not. Yet, as of right now, I've still lost someone I love beyond all telling.

I was contemplating the separation of Lucifer from God. Lucifer was created by God, who I have to believe loved Lucifer beyond belief. Lucifer means "Light Bearer" in Latin and he was considered of the greatest of angels.

Beautiful "Light Bearer", Prince among angels, loved dearly by God...and yet he turned his back, crossed his arms, and rejected God. Lost to pride. I wonder if God mourns like I do? When we see Jesus on the cross, we realize just how devastating the rejection of pure love can be.

If love is to be real, true and beautiful - it must be completely voluntary from both parties. Forced love, love out of obligation, only seems to add resentment, hurt and suspicion.

So love goes one way and is unreturned. Much like it is with God and us sometimes.

My daughter's opinion of me and her choice to end our relationship, does not add to or subtract from the truth of who I am. And while my heart will be forever missing a piece as long as she is gone from my life, I know who I am.

I am her mother and I love her with all of my heart (even the broken parts).

19My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;

a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn.

Psalms, chapter 51

Wounded Pride

I prayed the Litany of Humility to get through a particularly difficult transition at work when my pride was severely wounded. This litany is completely countercultural and may be difficult to read let alone pray. But, it helped me come to the realization that "I am what I am by the Grace of God". No more and no less. No accolades can add to the truth of who I am, my talents and capabilities. No negative opinions or words can take away from the same truth.

If we measure ourselves by the opinions of others, and only value the "self" that others like, we will ride the roller coaster of self worth. For people in our lives may not like us, may deceive us, may talk behind our backs, and  may not see us for who we really are. And many people may give us high praise, may promote and put us on a pedestal.

When I fail, and I do fail, I can look at the reality of who I am and push through the failure to get to the next success. When I succeed, and I do succeed sometimes, I can feel the elation for a moment, and then set about doing the next necessary thing. Success and failure and other peoples opinions are fleeting.

I did push through that difficult time, and I'm quite happy at work now! I appreciate what I have and am grateful for the opportunity.