This is an important teaching for Catholics of the 21st century, for several reasons. First, it’s an affirmation that the truth is knowable. Human beings can genuinely know the truth about reality and morality. This needs to be stressed on account of the widespread relativism in our culture that says there is no truth, only individual opinions and expressions of power, or truth is determined by whoever shouts the loudest or claims to be the biggest victim or has the media on their side.
I think I was first really confronted with relativism in college, when meeting fellow students and professors who made comments like, “well, that’s your truth” or “my truth is just as valid as your truth”. The egotist, often trying to justify his perverted morality, has a very difficult time admitting that truth exists outside of themselves, that the truth isn’t something we make up for ourselves.
And in 2021, we have been Catholics who have been infected with the mind virus of relativism, who claim that their personal beliefs trump Catholic Church teaching. In these poor souls, one can often sense such bitterness and unhappiness, even rage, when authentic church teaching is presented. They like the Jews in the Gospel today, claim to have God as Father, but reject the Son.
But how these souls would be free, free from that bitterness, unhappiness, and rage, if they would but submit their minds and hearts to Him.
And that’s the second reason why this line from our Lord is so important. It is a reminder that genuine human freedom and happiness depends upon our knowledge of the Truth. Jesus reveals the truth about God and human beings that we may live in freedom and beatitude from error which leads to sin and violence.
As the Second Vatican Council teaches, “Only in the mystery of the incarnate Word does the mystery of man take on light…Jesus, by the revelation of the mystery of the Father and His love, fully reveals man to man himself and makes his supreme calling clear.”
As Jesus embarks on the road of suffering, taking up his cross, we see a man who is truly free, who following the Will of His Father, walks a road of perfect freedom. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the first reading foreshadow this holy freedom from fear and suffering. They foreshadow what Jesus perfect reveals: that in God’s will and in God’s truth, we find perfect freedom, even when a cross is on our shoulders…maybe especially when a cross is on our shoulders.
May the church believe and live out every theological and moral truth that comes from Christ, and taking up our cross to walk with him, may he draw souls to himself through us for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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For an increase in faith for the catechumens and candidates who approach the sacraments of initiation in the coming Paschal Solemnity. And That the Church might be delivered and protected from all spirits of error, heresy, schism, and unbelief. Let us pray to the Lord.
That during this Year of St. Joseph, the Church may discover a deeper devotion to our Universal Patron. That through St. Joseph’s intercession families may be strengthened, priestly and religious vocations may increase, demons may be scattered, and the sick and dying may know the peace of Jesus. Let us pray to the Lord.
For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or illness: may they experience the healing graces of Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.
For all those who have died, for all the poor souls in purgatory, for those who have fought and died for our country’s freedom, and for [intention below], for whom this Mass is offered. Let us pray to the Lord. Let us pray to the Lord.
Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.
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