“The Truth Will Set You Free”
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
November 24-25, 2018
Scripture: John 18:33B-37
33 So Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?”35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants [would] be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.”37 So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
I have been a priest for 35 years, and I’ve seen a lot. During that time, I have been forced to sit through lots of mandatory meetings……time I’ll never get back, but they have surely shortened my time in purgatory. Many of these meetings have been about creating new programs to bring converts to the Church.
I have a novel means of evangelizing….I tell people the whole truth. Christ said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). Truth is a “Who” not a “what.” All truth is found in Jesus Christ. He is the truth that frees us from our slavery to sin. G. K. Chesterton was a convert to the Catholic faith. When asked why he converted, he said because Catholicism is true. He also said that he didn’t want his sins explained away….he wanted them forgiven.
There is nothing wrong with what we believe; the problems arise in how we live it. Catholicism is the beacon of truth. So, share the whole truth about our faith with others and, as St. Francis of Assisi said, use words if necessary. Just be prepared to hear lots of “yeah buts.”
It is important for priests to study philosophy before entering the seminary, because it helps them approach issues thoughtfully. In philosophy, truth is a central subject. Nobody can have their own truth. The truth is absolute and is true no matter which religion is practiced. We all worship the same God, so abortion is a mortal sin for everyone…not just Catholics. In John 8:31-32, Christ said “If you continue in my word you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” The whole truth sets us free…not versions of it. When you change the truth, you are trying to change Jesus Christ Himself.
Jesus taught the Apostles for two hours, and their hearts were aflame, because when they heard the truth, they recognized it. Pilot looked at truth in the face, and did not.
The Advent season begins on December 2nd. Advent is a time to prepare for the arrival of Christ at Christmas through the sacrament of reconciliation and acts of penance. I go to confession to confessors I’ve known for 40 years. I have my failings too, but I take up my crosses and follow Him. I hope you will too.
How will you apply this message to your life? Will you evangelize by sharing the whole truth about our faith with others? Will you prepare for Advent with acts of penance and reconciliation?
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