A Sunday Thought to Start the Week Off Right
A couple of Sundays ago, we focused on the importance of "truth." By way of contrast, we noted Pope Benedict's concern with what he labeled a "Dictatorship of Relativism." Thinking more about this, it becomes clear that relativism seeps into every aspect of our thinking and hence our language.
As Catholics, we hold certain truths to be absolute. Even those of us who don't make a habit of studying the doctrines of our Holy Catholic religion repeat the key truths of our Faith every Sunday in the Nicene Creed: "I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in all things visible and invisible..." If you've slipped into simply "mouthing" the words of the Creed - as can happen when we do or say something regularly, as part of a routine (attending Sunday Mass), maybe today you can catch yourself and pay attention. Think about the words; don't just say them. They mean something. They're not at all vague or in any way unclear. We declare the absolute truths of our Holy Faith, in no uncertain terms. These absolute truths, declared and defined in 325 by the First Council of Nicea, stand today as they did then.
The truths of our Catholic religion matter. Know them, take them to heart, let your life be guided by them.
Another example of truth will cross our paths this week on July 4th, the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. After a brief introductory paragraph in that world-changing document, we find this bold declaration: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness..." Those truths - which should be known to all of us Americans - stand today as they did then. Nothing has changed.
Nothing has changed because they come from our Creator - from God. Those who agreed to sign the Declaration of Independence understood this. The citizens of our country at that time also understood this. In fact, that understanding formed the basis of their decision to separate from England. They felt that their countrymen across the ocean no longer respected their liberty and their other rights that ultimately came from God. As a result, they came to the conclusion that they had to free themselves from their Mother Country, something they did not intend to do when the disputes over taxation and other incursions on their liberty first arose. But once they saw the truth of the matter, in a very real sense, the truth set them free.
Today, unfortunately, the truth that seems most self-evident is that fewer and fewer of us believe in truth. It's important that we Catholics resist this tidal wave of relativism that washes over and obscures the truth. We can and should be leading the way to a renewal of what was once a common understanding that some things are true, some false, some good, some bad. We cannot afford to be bullied by the Dictatorship of Relativism about which our Holy Father Pope Benedict warned.
Truth has the power to move us as nothing else. This July 4th, we will treasure the truth that moved millions of our ancestors to live virtuous lives, dedicated to the welfare of their families and the common good. Today that same truth has the power to take us out of ourselves and our typical self-centered thoughts and feelings and turn our attention, to a concern for others, ultimately to a deep and abiding love of God, Who, as we know, loves us beyond measure.
Let's pray that this Sunday finds us renewed and invigotated with a love of Truth. And let's carry this love of truth with us into this week's celebration of the Independence of our country on July 4th.
As Catholics, we hold certain truths to be absolute. Even those of us who don't make a habit of studying the doctrines of our Holy Catholic religion repeat the key truths of our Faith every Sunday in the Nicene Creed: "I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in all things visible and invisible..." If you've slipped into simply "mouthing" the words of the Creed - as can happen when we do or say something regularly, as part of a routine (attending Sunday Mass), maybe today you can catch yourself and pay attention. Think about the words; don't just say them. They mean something. They're not at all vague or in any way unclear. We declare the absolute truths of our Holy Faith, in no uncertain terms. These absolute truths, declared and defined in 325 by the First Council of Nicea, stand today as they did then.
The truths of our Catholic religion matter. Know them, take them to heart, let your life be guided by them.
Another example of truth will cross our paths this week on July 4th, the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. After a brief introductory paragraph in that world-changing document, we find this bold declaration: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness..." Those truths - which should be known to all of us Americans - stand today as they did then. Nothing has changed.
Nothing has changed because they come from our Creator - from God. Those who agreed to sign the Declaration of Independence understood this. The citizens of our country at that time also understood this. In fact, that understanding formed the basis of their decision to separate from England. They felt that their countrymen across the ocean no longer respected their liberty and their other rights that ultimately came from God. As a result, they came to the conclusion that they had to free themselves from their Mother Country, something they did not intend to do when the disputes over taxation and other incursions on their liberty first arose. But once they saw the truth of the matter, in a very real sense, the truth set them free.
Today, unfortunately, the truth that seems most self-evident is that fewer and fewer of us believe in truth. It's important that we Catholics resist this tidal wave of relativism that washes over and obscures the truth. We can and should be leading the way to a renewal of what was once a common understanding that some things are true, some false, some good, some bad. We cannot afford to be bullied by the Dictatorship of Relativism about which our Holy Father Pope Benedict warned.
Truth has the power to move us as nothing else. This July 4th, we will treasure the truth that moved millions of our ancestors to live virtuous lives, dedicated to the welfare of their families and the common good. Today that same truth has the power to take us out of ourselves and our typical self-centered thoughts and feelings and turn our attention, to a concern for others, ultimately to a deep and abiding love of God, Who, as we know, loves us beyond measure.
Let's pray that this Sunday finds us renewed and invigotated with a love of Truth. And let's carry this love of truth with us into this week's celebration of the Independence of our country on July 4th.
Happy Sunday!
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