This sermon critiques the popular advice "be true to yourself," arguing it can lead to self-centered decision-making. Using Jesus's parable of the Pharisee and tax collector, the preacher advocates for honest self-knowledge that acknowledges both good and bad aspects of ourselves, seeking God's guidance rather than relying solely on personal instincts. [30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C]
This essay, taken with permission from Let's Talk About Truth (Ave Maria Press, 2020) explores truth as faithfulness in relationships, drawing on the Hebrew concept of "emet" - a word suggesting something stable and trustworthy that "stands on two legs." Unlike Greek philosophical notions of truth as correspondence to reality, biblical truth emphasizes relational fidelity. The author, Ann Garrido, distinguishes this from mere loyalty, emphasizing that being "true" means remaining trustworthy and committed even during disagreement or conflict, not uncritically supporting others' actions. The essay addresses practical challenges like prioritizing relationships within human limitations, navigating difficult relationships, and balancing fidelity with personal integrity. It emphasizes that being true in relationships requires skills for "hanging in" during disagreements while maintaining appropriate boundaries when relationships become harmful or unsustainable.
This essay, taken with permission from the book Let's Talk About Truth (Ave Maria Press, 2020) examines truthfulness in communication, distinguishing between having a mind aligned with reality and having words aligned with one's thoughts. Drawing on Thomas Aquinas, it argues that truthful communication is essential for community and communion, requiring alignment between inner thoughts and spoken words. The author, Ann Garrido, explores the balance between sharing appropriately (neither too much nor too little) and communicating with charity. Key topics include when lying might be justifiable, the problem of hypocrisy as misalignment between words and actions, and the Christian obligation to advocate for truthfulness in society. The essay emphasizes that truthful communication, guided by justice and love, enables genuine relationship-building and societal functioning.
This essay, taken with permission from the book Let's Talk About Truth (Ave Maria Press, 2020), explores how to form good judgments in a "post-truth" society by distinguishing between objective facts and subjective judgments. Using Chris Argyris' "Ladder of Inference" model, it explains how personal experiences, culture, and background shape how we select and interpret data to form opinions. The author, Ann Garrido, emphasizes three key principles for sound moral judgment: remaining grounded in reality, informing one's conscience through education and reflection, and considering impacts on others, especially the vulnerable. For navigating disagreements, the essay recommends assuming good intent, listening deeply, sharing reflectively from one's own perspective, and seeking divine guidance while acknowledging that resolution isn't always possible.
This essay, taken with permission from the book Let's Talk About Truth (Ave Maria Press, 2020) explores truth as both objective reality alignment and an ongoing aspiration. It critiques post-truth skepticism (doubting we can know anything) and relativism (all beliefs equally valid) while affirming that reality exists independently of our beliefs or perceptions. Author Ann Garrido emphasizes reason as God's gift for understanding reality, supporting scientific inquiry as compatible with faith. However, it acknowledges limits to knowledge-seeking when pursued through immoral means or before adequate maturity. The text calls preachers to help congregations embrace truth as both essential for survival and a lifelong practice of intellectual humility and curiosity.
This article by Eve Tushnet explores alternative forms of Christian kinship beyond traditional marriage, including intentional communities like the Church of the Sojourners, covenant friendships, godparenting relationships, and celibate partnerships. It argues that marriage as the sole recognized adult commitment weakens possible societal bonds and that diverse forms of love and care can strengthen communities. There are multiple lasting ways of "being true" to another.
This sermon uses Jesus's healing command "ephphatha" (be open) to explore truthful speech. Drawing on Greek concept "parrhesia" - frank, dangerous truth-telling to power - the preacher connects this to Jesus and Paul as truth-tellers. Addressing Catholic Church abuse scandals, the sermon calls for becoming a "confessing church" rather than secret-keeping, emphasizing collective responsibility for institutional sins and the need for public penance, transparency, and authentic truth-telling as Christian duty.
Using Luke's account of Jesus reading Isaiah, the preacher examines how Jesus omitted vengeance from his message, disappointing crowds who expected violent revolution. This connects to modern political rhetoric, emphasizing integrity between words and actions while serving the common good rather than echoing anger. The sermon concludes with Ukrainian translator Natalia Dmitruk's act of defiance during fraudulent elections, illustrating how truthful voices can inspire justice movements and embody gospel values.
This sermon explores the prevalence of lying in daily life and contrasts it with Jesus's embodiment of truth before Pilate. Fr. Foley argues that like Pilate, we often "wash our hands" of inconvenient truths. He calls Christians to live authentic truth through love of neighbor, even when costly.
This reflection explores the apparent contradiction between God's unconditional love (Psalm 139) and Jesus's harsh judgment of hypocrites--those whose actions do not align with what they say. Rice notes that God's judgment targets those who hide behind masks, trying to earn love through performance rather than accepting they are already beloved. Using Byron Katie's insights, the piece suggests we often act from fear to manipulate others' affection, but God's love is unconditional and unearnable—we simply need to remove our masks and accept this truth.
