
The 36th word in my Lent lexicon is:
TRUTH.
Truth matters. Our relationships and societies rely on basic underlying truths that are generally accepted and agreed upon. If we are to live well and flourish we need to be able to discern what is true and what isn’t. This applies to personal, institutional and societal relationships. If we don’t know who or what to believe it becomes impossible to trust, and to live with hope.
It seems to me that this was once a fairly straightforward concept. We could mostly recognise truth. Even with disagreements and differences we could mostly agree on what was true. In recent times that seems to have become less and less the case.
We live in a “post-truth society” without ever stopping to ask ourselves if that leads to human flourishing or what essential human qualities it undermines. It does protect individualism, so that “my truth” can be different to “your truth” and neither of us has to give way of compromise.
Jesus addresses truth in today’s gospel, Jesus takes a different view:
“If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples, you will learn the truth and the truth will make you free.”
The truth he speaks of is not optional. Can lead us to true freedom, a freedom that is not about self-interest or individualism, but about the common good. He’s not talking “post-truth”, that cuts out the need for engagement or compromise.
The truth he offers us will challenge us and call us to let go of many things we hold dear, and it will lead us to true freedom.
How is Christ’s truth leading you to freedom this Lent?