Lectionary: 291
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.
Which institution is built for the express purpose of speaking the truth? Government? (I don’t think so.) Military? (Not on your life.) Family? (Not very often.) Neighbors? (When it’s convenient and doesn’t cost too much.) Entertainment? (Not even close.) Science? (Just the facts, Ma’am.)
Speaking of science, the story is told of the Senator who convened a panel to take reports on climate change. A scientist sat before him with two massive piles of documents. “On the one hand,” he said, “we have these scientific data which show the Earth’s climate is affected by human activity. And, on the other hand, this stack of papers shows the climate is not impacted by human activity.”
Finally, Senator Ed Muskie (D-ME) said to his equally exasperated colleagues, “Will somebody find me a one-handed scientist?!”
Scientific facts are important, but they are not the truth. Facts are useful abstractions within their context. They can be used to reveal the truth, or to hide it; to heal or to harm people. When a drunk says he going to the grocery store to buy milk, he probably will buy a bottle of milk. He spoke a fact; he didn't speak the truth.
Facts are discovered; truth is revealed; it appears among persons who are willing to trust one another.
There is only one institution whose sole mission is to speak the truth; and that is the Church. The congregation of the Word made flesh has received and welcomed the revelation of Truth, even at the cost of many lives. They know that it always takes courage to speak the truth. It also takes time, compassion, and patience.
Not everyone wants to know the Truth. In that case, we do not throw our pearls to swine. But sometimes, in an apparently barren field, we broadcast seeds in every direction and hope that some will germinate twenty-, thirty-, and a hundred-fold. We risk it and face whatever happens next. When the time is right, the Holy Spirit often tells us which choice to make, but usually "the Advocate" does not tell what will happen next.
The Word of God appears in human words of many different languages. Very often we must wait upon the truth to appear as we study the situation.
Meeting people of different cultures, nationalities, and language we must diligently search for the right words and concepts.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.