The Truth Will Set You Free

02-03-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. Julius Kundi

We all like to be affirmed and lifted up. We all want to be told how good we are and that we don’t have problems in life at all. Often times we prefer to listen to a message that makes us feel secure and contented and not that which will expose our weaknesses or challenge us to a task.

I am not sure that we appreciate it that much when we are challenged or called to task. I am not sure we all appreciate it when we are reminded of how bad and stubborn we are to the Word of God. I am not sure we are always pleased to listen to any message that threatens our comfort zones.

There is always a problem when we are confronted with a truth that requires us to change, especially in our attitudes toward people. A message that challenges us to Change the way we behave or our pattern of living could be regarded as boring and insulting.

Jesus and Jeremiah shared somethings in common: they loved their people and desired they be saved. However, both paid the price for speaking the truth and calling the people to repentance.

When Jesus began His public ministry, preaching in the synagogues of Nazareth and Capernaum, the people spoke highly of Him and were amazed at His gracious words.

But things changed quickly when he began to challenge their ideas or convictions. Jesus had gone beyond what they wanted to hear. He was speaking a universal message from God, salvation for all. St. Cyril of Alexandria, the great church father who commented extensively on Luke’s gospel said that those who heard Jesus speak treated his words as worthless; most likely because they were biased or exposed.

I think the same happens today. When we hear words pleasing to us, we accept them, but when they disturb our consciences we might well dismiss them as worthless. We like to pride ourselves in thinking that we want to hear the truth. We even tell our wives, children, and husbands that we always want to hear the truth from them. But if they present us with a truth that requires us to radically change, we react. So if the truth hurts when it confronts and challenges us, we ought to ask ourselves ‘why are we so upset?’.

Certainly it is true that the gospel is a great word of consolation and refreshment, but it can also be harsh and demanding. As we know, our precious Savior can also be an angry God too. When we listen to the gospel, it is good to do so with an open heart and mind. The church will guide us and teach us. The Holy Spirit will instruct us in all things and help us discern how to respond to the gospel in our lives. The one thing we do not want to do is to push Jesus to the edge of the cliff or regard his teaching as worthless. But oftentimes we do that. We want him to think like we do, we fancy him seeing things as we see them. What hope do we have then, to grow and be saved, if we only worship a God who is just small, just as mean and as petty as we are.Certainly, we will never be saved if we worship only a God who suits us because we have made him over our image and likeness.

Jesus’ teaching consoles us for it is a gospel of love and mercy, peace and reconciliation. But it is also a gospel which says ‘come, follow me’, a gospel which calls for a conversion of heart and change in the way we live. Yes, the big reminder here is that the baptism we received wasn’t just a badge of honor but a pledge for responsibility.

May God’s mercy and grace challenge us to be better Christians!

Fr. Julius