Discerning Truth from Falsity


“See that you not be deceived,” Jesus told His disciples. Our Lord warns the people of the trials and persecutions that should come upon them (Lk. 21:5-19).  Jesus tells of wars, persecutions, false prophets, earthquakes, famines, and plagues.  He even says that those who we love will betray us and hand us over.  But the Lord encourages them and asks them to not be overly worried, “...for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist of refute.”  In other words, we can not handle these trials and persecutions on our own.  Only by grace and through and with Our Lord Jesus will we be able to overcome them and endure them.  At the end of the Gospel passage, Jesus tells them, “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” 

Wow. Wars, persecutions, natural disasters, and even betrayal by my beloved ones? That does not sound hopeful.  I mean wars and persecutions and natural disasters I can bear and try to do safety precautions and preparations, but betrayal?  In the face of betrayal we may feel powerless and defenseless, but we must remember what St. Paul said - it is during those times when we are truly strong because it is in recognizing our weaknesses and shortcomings do we understand and see the strength and power and mercy of God.  So then, even when those who we love betray us and hand us over, even though we may feel alone, we can be sure and positive that we are not, for Christ is with us.

“By your perseverance you will secure your lives.“  What could our Lord have meant?  Persevering in what?  When trials come, persevere in bearing them?  When people accuse us or betray us, remain silent and bear it?  I do not think Our Lord meant to persevere by our own strength or willpower, but to persevere in faith in Him and in prayer.  We are called to persevere in faith and in relationship with Our Lord, for it is only then that our lives can be secured.  For only in God do we have life.  Only in the Father does our life have meaning.  Only in Him can we live.  This is the truth and anything else is falsity. 

Truth is life and falsity is death. God is truth and the devil is death.  There is a clear line that separates truth from falsity.  Our Lord also cautioned the people in the Gospel reading of false prophets and those who will speak words of falsity and death.  We can see this illustrated in our world today.  People have taken objective truth and turned it into subjective feelings.  What is true people have turned to hatred and bigotry.  We are living amidst these times, brothers and sisters.  We are told that life is optional and that preference and convenience takes precedence.  We are even told by religious leaders today that the statement that pro-life is the pre-eminent issue facing our nation today is inconsistent and discordant with church teaching and the message of the Pope.  We must discern well between good and bad, truth and falsity, faithful shepherds and false prophets.  Jesus warned the people 2000 years ago, and warns us today.  His words speaks as loud today to us as it did to His disciples then, if not louder.

Let us persevere in faith and prayer so that we may discern well to follow the truth and reject falsity, and by doing so secure our life and so be with Our Lord.

Father, give me a spirit that is willing and docile.  Give me a discerning spirit so I can know right from wrong, truth from falsity, and good from evil.  Grant me the strength to endure and persevere through trials, the courage to stand up in the face of evil, and the docility to discern well.  


Sermon on the Mount

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