Rev 1:5-8; Dn 7:13-14; Jn 18:33b-37
Feast of Christ the King (34th Sunday in Ordinary Time)
What is Truth?
That’s the question Pilate asks of Jesus in response to Jesus final words in this Sunday’s gospel: “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” There’s a terrible irony here – the very embodiment of Truth stands before Pilate and he can’t see it.
On this last Sunday of the Church year, celebrated as the feast of Christ the King, the Church challenges us to think about this question for ourselves. What is the truth at the center of our lives? What exciting and what difficult truths are we ignoring? When all is said and done – whether we’re talking about the end of the world and the establishment of the Kingdom or our personal ends – what will remain is the Truth of who we are as God has alwyays known us.
There’s a favorite saying of a favorite comic strip character of mine named Garfield the cat. He once said, “The truth will set you free. But first, it will make you miserable.” Each one of us clings to some illusion or another that refracts the light of truth,preventing us from seeing things as they really are. This is a good time of year to try and lift that veil – or, more accurately, to pray for the grace we need to see ourselves and others as God sees us.
What’s that truth you’ve been afraid of seeing because acknowledging it might mean things will have to change? Or, is it possible that you have set your sights too low and can’t imagine the greater possibilities of your life? This week, if just for a moment, let Jesus guide you past the veil. No matter how big and scary the truth might seem, it won’t be bigger than God and you won’t have to face it alone.
Jim Philipps (3rd millennium pilgrim)
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