September 2, 2009
Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Of this you have already heard through the word of truth, the gospel, that has come to you. Just as in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing, so also among you, from the day you heard it and came to know the grace of God in truth, as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow slave, who is a trustworthy minister of Christ on your behalf and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. Colossians 1:5b-8
And demons also came out from many, shouting, "You are the Son of God." But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Messiah. Luke 4:41
Piety
Our prayer: Make known to me your ways, LORD; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. For you I wait all the long day, because of your goodness, LORD. Psalm 25:4-5
The Lord’s Answer: I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you. Do not be senseless like horses or mules; with bit and bridle their temper is curbed, else they will not come to you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but love surrounds those who trust in the LORD. Psalm 32:8-10
Study
Back in 1970 (when I was about 12 years old), Johnny Cash came out with a song (single) on an old 45 RPM record with the big half-dollar sized hole in the middle. The song/speech was called “What is Truth?” When I wasn’t mesmerized by the Fifth Dimension singing about the “Age of Aquarius” or Glen Campbell missing his favorite Texas beach (Oh Galveston!), I probably wore out the grooves in this disk all the way down to the red and black Columbia Records label.
The lyrics in the song explored and exposed adult opinions regarding the younger generations. Adults considered their generation to be keepers of the truth. Opinions were forms and spread criticizing youth based upon counter-cultural impression made by long hair, funny dancing and opposition to what adult society professed.
Cash was already in his forties when he released the song and performed it on his TV show. Yet this was the same era made famous by the Jerry Rubin comment, “You can’t trust anyone over 30.” Cash chastises those in his generation and older who shunned the ways of the younger generation on the other side of the proverbial “gap.” Cash was breaking with his peers and urging them toward reconciliation as his graveling half-sung/half-spoke:
The ones that you're calling wild
Are going to be the leaders in a little while
This old world's waking' to a new born day
And I solemnly swear that it'll be their way
You better help the voice of youth find
"What is truth?"
We encounter people who know the truth today in the readings. First, we meet the line-up of people who were cured by Jesus after the first miracle curing St. Peter’s mother-in-law learned the truth. Jesus admonished them not to spread the news too early in his public ministry perhaps so he can get some traction before the authorities derail his public ministry.
After Jesus sent the disciples into the world to spread the Good News, there was praise granted to those who accepted the truth about this rebel Jesus – the man from Nazareth who challenged Roman-ruled Jewish society and religion.
Action
Have you ever asked yourself, “What is truth?” Is MY truth the same as YOUR truth?
Both “truth” and “trust” stem from the same root word for fidelity or faith. We have to have faith in the person teaching us in order to learn and accept the truths the teacher shares. The Thessalonians learned the “truths” from Epaphras, a fellow slave. Who taught you the truths that you hold dear? Parents? Teachers? Pastors? Family? Friends?
If the Colossians learned from a slave, would we be open to learn from others who don’t carry around fancy diplomas and credentials? Like the crew of workers who clean our offices at night when we are not there? The homeless persons camped on the steps of the posh Metropolitan Club while executives dine inside? The hitchhiker on the side of the highway? The protestor carrying her banner in front of the White House or the Pentagon? Jesus might have been as unlikely a truth-teacher in his day as these last would be in ours.
If Jesus or St. Paul returned today, would they find us acting as if we had learned and accepted the “truth” of the Gospel? Do we know the truths that we proclaim? Do we act on them?
