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Jesus then said
to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you
will truly be
my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you
free.”
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Matthew Poncelet found himself on a long
journey in the
movie “Dead Man Walking.” He had never
expected to take it; it had only come about after his decision to write
a
letter. Sr. Helen became his guide,
leading him through small talk and saving-face conversation, gradually
taking
him to a point of acceptance of responsibility. But such
acceptance was not easy.
Thinking about his behavior for the first time in his life, he had
finally come to the point of conversion. He finally was beginning
to feel free.
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Jesus
testified to the
feeling that psychologists know well. “The truth will set you
free,” Jesus said to
those who believed in him. The truth has
always enabled humankind to live well. It brings about a spiritual
basis for clear conscience and stability in
a world where so much is changing; it also brings a psychological sense
of
well-being. Leading people to feel good
about themselves and what they believe and stand for, living the truth
and
admitting the truth is the way to a happy life, and even a happy death.
Young and old alike must discover this fact about the truth. Far too many people live a lie in one form or another. They choose a life of pleasure that is only hiding the pain of loneliness. Those who are rich display their riches to earn the respect that they will not give to others. Those who find themselves with power, even at the lowest level, often desire to use their power on others because of their own inadequacy. What we need in our world is Jesus’ simple approach to the truth so that we can freely pursue our lives and feel good about it at the same time. |
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THOUGHT
What do you think is the meaning of the phrase “live a
lie”?
PRAYER Good and gracious God, you call us to be people of truth, and
yet we
often hide from the truth, and live as though the truth were not
important. Help us learn the virtue of
honesty in the way we live and the way we speak. Be
with us, we pray.
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©2007 Capuchin
Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America |