“I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.” (John 14:6).
When Christ spoke, He revealed to us, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.” (John 14:6).
And I have been reflecting on that – on that truth – over the last few days…
People have died for the truth… That is what the martyrs do…
Saint Maximus the Confessor who lived from 580 to 662 was a Christian monk, theologian and scholar. He used his teachings to fight various heresies in the Early Church. Because of his teachings, Saint Maximus was exiled, but even this exile did not stop the saint from preaching. Instead, Saint Maximus continued to preach. Because he would not stop his preaching, his tongue was cut out. And so, he stopped speaking but continued to write instead. Because he would not stop his writing, his right hand was cut off. And it was – probably due to an infection of this wound – that Saint Maximus finally died.
But I have been considering the cost of defending TRUTH.
You see, Truth – in the form of the Son of God – died for me on the Cross, so now I must sit and wonder what I am willing to do for Truth…
Saint John the Baptist knew what to do for truth. Because he spoke out against the lifestyle and sin of Herod and Herodias, Herodias plotted against him. Because he spoke out for truth in defence of truth, Saint John the Baptist died…
“When Herodias’ daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it.’ And he vowed to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ And she went out, and said to her mother, ‘What shall I ask?’ And she said, ‘The head of John the Baptist.’” (Mark 6:14–29).
And to be able to defend the truth we must KNOW it too.
Theologian Frank Sheed explains that while a simple pious soul may well be more holy than a learned theologian, it is not because ignorance is a virtue and it is not because that simple soul knows less of truth. Rather it is because if a soul had known God more, “they would have loved Him more still.”
And I have been reflecting on that today, as I consider the truth that I deny in my everyday life. For the Lord my God humbled Himself to become Man, so that He would suffer and die on the Cross. And the martyrs who came after Him suffered and died for His Sake in the name of Truth. So, now I really have to wonder, what exactly it is that I am doing for truth. Because if I really had to answer that question today, I think I would be terrible terribly ashamed…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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