Scripture for
meditation: John 8:31-32
To the
Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are
really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you
free.”
Scripture for
reflection: John 18:38
Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”
Colonel
Nathan R. Jessep Addresses the Court on "Code Red" in the movie, “A
Few Good Men”
Truth, you can’t handle the truth.
Pope Benedict XVII
calls Caritas in Veritate: Charity in
Truth: This dynamic of
charity received and given is what gives rise to the Church’s Social teaching,
which is caritas in veritate in re
sociali: the proclamation of the truth of Christ’s love in society. This
doctrine is a service to charity, but its locus is truth. Truth preserves and
expresses charity’s power to liberate in the ever-changing events of history.
It is at the same time the truth of faith and of reason, both in the
distinction and also in the convergence of those two cognitive fields.
Development, social well-being, the search for a satisfactory solution to the
grave socioeconomic problems besetting humanity all need this truth. What they
need even more is that this truth should be loved and demonstrated. Without
truth, without trust and love for what is true, there is no social conscience
and responsibility, and social action ends up serving private interest and the
logic of power, resulting in social fragmentation, especially in a globalized
society at difficult times like the present. “Caritas in Veritate” is the
principle around which the Church’s social doctrine turns, a principle that
takes on practical form in the criteria that govern moral action…justice and
the common good. (Charity in Truth, Ignatius Press, 2009)
My thoughts: So
we learn here that truth is the convergence of faith and reason. Well, that makes sense. If a scientist tells
us that, through study and research, he has determined that bones found in
Maryland are dinosaur bones, we believe him (faith) because he has all the
degrees and insights (reason) to tell us this is so. Can you see, then, how
powerful truth becomes in the hands of people in power if it is not governed by
a higher authority, an adherence to truth as defined by God? Was there any love
in the “truth” Hitler spread among the Germans about the Jews? Was it really “truth”
to peddle cigarettes to the public when the tobacco companies knew there were
health risks, yet kept that news private? They didn’t lie, like Hitler, they
just didn’t say anything. The Pope tells us that without trust and love for
what is true, there is no social conscience and responsibility, and social
action ends up serving private interest and logic of power. We see that in our
society today. Have your read any articles recently about the abundance of
cases of “post- abortion shock syndrome?” I didn't think so. Do you know that
birth control pills are classified as a Type 1 carcinogen by the World Health
Organization, along with cigarettes and asbestos, yet they are now being
promoted as part of a necessary women’s health coverage? Cigarettes and
asbestos are bad, but birth control pills, which are the only pharmaceuticals
on the list, are part of a necessary health
care plan? Can we handle the truth? I don’t think many drug companies think
we actually want to know the truth.
Is this charity in truth, caring more for a woman’s true health than for a
healthy bottom line? Of course not, and this is just one of many examples of “truth”
as defined by society today. The Pope is right. Who gains from these
deceptions? Private interests do.
God- driven truth is not deceptive. It does not care
about money or power. That is why society today is trying so hard to silence
religious institutions. They speak the real truth, and that, my friends is a
threat to the culture of death. Open your eyes to the world in which we live.
Pray for it. Challenge it. Dare to try to change it. But above all, keep your
eyes on the truth, which is found in Jesus Christ, and THAT truth will set you
free. http://www.mesothelioma.org, http://onemoresoul.com/news-commentary/the-pill-and-breast-cancer-why-the-ignorance.html,
http://veneremurcernui.wordpress.com/2011/06/01/who-oral-contraception-group-1-carcinogen/
Prayer for the
nation:
God our Father, Giver of life,
we entrust the United States of America to Your loving care.
You are the rock on which this nation was founded.
You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your people.
Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation´s
leaders. Open their minds to the great worth of human life
and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom.
Remind Your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing Your will.
Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of our land,
grant us the courage to reject the "culture of death."
Lead us into a new millennium of life. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen
we entrust the United States of America to Your loving care.
You are the rock on which this nation was founded.
You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your people.
Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation´s
leaders. Open their minds to the great worth of human life
and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom.
Remind Your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing Your will.
Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of our land,
grant us the courage to reject the "culture of death."
Lead us into a new millennium of life. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen
http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=800
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