Daily Retreat 05/27/09
2009 May 27 Wed:Easter Weekday/ Augustine of Canterbury, bp, r, ms
Acts 20:28-38/ Ps 67(68):29-30. 33-35a. 35bc-36ab/ Jn 17:11b-19
From today’s readings: “ I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock.... Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.... And I consecrate Myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
Truth Twisters
Paul’s exhortation to the presbyters of Ephesus was for them to “Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers...” (Acts 20:28). Notice that, as is regularly emphasized throughout scripture, moral watchfulness begins with self, before being extended to include guidance of others. And Paul emphasizes commitment to the full truth of the faith, warning against the wolves that will come forward “perverting the truth.”
If we are to commit ourselves to the full truth of our faith, we need, first of all, to know the Truth. Wolves are able to lead disciples astray, not so much because they lie outright, but because they “pervert the truth,” that is, they say something that has elements of truth, but the truth is twisted. This is seen, for instance, among pro-abortion forces who couch their advocacy in language of “pro-choice” and “pro-privacy.” In themselves, “choice” and “privacy” are indeed values to be defended, but never at the cost of another’s life!
Whenever the Church’s teaching is spurned, it is almost always on the basis of a “twisted truth.” Paul’s exhortation reminds us to take the time and effort to pursue the fulness of truth, first for ourselves and the matters of our own lives, and then to aid others in the quest for the untwisted truth.
Acts 20:28-38/ Ps 67(68):29-30. 33-35a. 35bc-36ab/ Jn 17:11b-19
From today’s readings: “ I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock.... Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.... And I consecrate Myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
Truth Twisters
Paul’s exhortation to the presbyters of Ephesus was for them to “Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers...” (Acts 20:28). Notice that, as is regularly emphasized throughout scripture, moral watchfulness begins with self, before being extended to include guidance of others. And Paul emphasizes commitment to the full truth of the faith, warning against the wolves that will come forward “perverting the truth.”
If we are to commit ourselves to the full truth of our faith, we need, first of all, to know the Truth. Wolves are able to lead disciples astray, not so much because they lie outright, but because they “pervert the truth,” that is, they say something that has elements of truth, but the truth is twisted. This is seen, for instance, among pro-abortion forces who couch their advocacy in language of “pro-choice” and “pro-privacy.” In themselves, “choice” and “privacy” are indeed values to be defended, but never at the cost of another’s life!
Whenever the Church’s teaching is spurned, it is almost always on the basis of a “twisted truth.” Paul’s exhortation reminds us to take the time and effort to pursue the fulness of truth, first for ourselves and the matters of our own lives, and then to aid others in the quest for the untwisted truth.
posted by FrPitstick | 5/16/2009
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