What is Truth?

Details: 09 September 2011

On Friday, Aug. 26, during a Mass celebrated by Bishop Bruskewitz, our two new interns and the rest of our clinical staff took an oath of fidelity to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Our two new interns are Antony Bond from Institute of Psychological Sciences in Arlington, Va., and Maria Riccardi from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind.

When one takes an oath of fidelity to the teachings of the Catholic Church one is taking an oath of fidelity to the truths Jesus Christ has revealed to us in Sacred Scripture and Tradition as guarded by the Magisterium. Before doing so, it is necessary to know what truth is and where it comes from. Those who claim to be atheists are unable to answer these two questions. When one knows the answer to the first question, there is no need to ask the second. The only logical conclusion for an atheist is that truth exists only because there is a God.

When Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate He said, " ‘For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.’ Pilate said to him, ‘What is truth?’ (Jn 14:6)’ " We can be absolutely certain Pilate now knows what and who was standing before him that most important day.

Immediately after telling His disciples that He would go and prepare a place for them, Thomas asked Jesus, " ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me (Jn 14:1-6).’ "

Not only is God truth, He is life, love, mercy, justice, etc. Unlike ourselves, these attributes of God are part of His very essence. We are not truth, life, love, mercy, justice, etc, but if we have God within ourselves we can possess them and with the grace of God practice them as virtues in a heroic manner similar to the saints and martyrs that have gone before us marked with the sign of faith.

Unfortunately, Christians worldwide are now being persecuted by the loss of conscience rights in the realm of the work place. Now instead of being forced to offer incense to idols or face torture and death as in the first few centuries of the Church, the choice now is between their professions or an action contrary to the faith.

When we recite the Nicene Creed each and every Sunday, let us recall the countless men and women, young and old, some mere children, who have suffered and died for the one Truth that is Jesus Christ. Let us be consoled because it is this truth that makes us free (Jn 8:32). This is what our baptismal promises require: living faithful lives. Let us do so not because of fear but because of love. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (Jn 14:15).

Please pray for the continued success of our clinical program in which the Catholic faith is incorporated into counseling. Because of the generous support of our benefactors, last year, we provided nearly $100,000 of aid to those who are un-insured or under-insured.

We are blessed to have Antony and Maria join our well trained clinical staff. Please be assured of our prayers for you!