"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." Jn 8:31
In today’s Gospel reading from John 8, we hear Jesus tell the Jews who believed in Him, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” That statement is always true.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would not worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had decreed all must worship. For this, the king had them thrown into a fiery furnace. The three men willingly walked in and miraculously walked out as well.
In World War II, faced with German troops, the allied soldiers would not give in. They would stay faithful to the death. Remaining faithful while under threat reveals our best selves when having to choose between truth and harm.
Our daily circumstances may be less dramatic, but the choice still is a choice between truth and harm.
I teach 7th grade in Faith Formation.
Last evening a 7th grader wanted to share what had happened to her in school yesterday.
(I am not sure of the exact circumstances.)
It seems that a classmate shouted that she was ‘an atheist’. “I was so surprised. I said ‘How can you say that? What about the 10 commandments? Did they just appear randomly?”
The first student replied, “They were written by a stupid person.”
The St Pius X student told the class, “I didn’t like that someone was criticizing my faith. I had to say something. I had to stand up for my faith.”
“And the truth shall set you free.”
Father, help us to always seek the Truth, even on our way into the fire, that we may be truly free.
The more God lives in me, the more alive I am… the more I become like Him, who is Joy and Love itself.