A limited number of credible sources

By Steve Hall

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Acts 13:44-52
John 14:7-14

Knowing and speaking the truth has never been one of the most reliable habits of humankind. The earliest example of an attempt at deception goes all the way back to Adam. He wanted to hide, he said, because he was naked. The fact that he had just transgressed God’s law played no part in the matter. Remember, his wife had recently discovered the useful skill of doublespeak from a friendly snake and may even have practiced the subterfuge on her husband. In any case, deception in a variety of forms is only less ancient than the hills.

Those skilled in the practice (which probably includes all of us) can lie to themselves just as readily as they lie to others. In fact, lies we tell to others may not be lies at all to us since, in our self delusion, we may have created an alternate universe of ‘truth.’ How convoluted is that? Nevertheless, lies are still lies even if we conflate them with truth. Jesus knew this well. In one of his many confrontations with the Jewish leadership he bluntly pointed out the problem.

“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44) In today’s readings we find that Paul and Barnabas ran into this problem.

There are a limited number of sources from which we can obtain a picture of reality. Most are worse than useless. When that source is the devil we get a false representation of all that is. “You are of your father the devil . . . and [he] has nothing to do with the truth. . . . “ When that source is ourselves the situation barely improves if at all. “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it [you] condemn yourselves . . . . “ It is only when our source is the Lord that we can be confident we are in touch with reality. Jesus’ well known statement: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. . . .” immediately precedes our gospel passage today. Add to that the teaching found in the Alleluia verse: “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth,” and then conclude with the gospel statement: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”

Yes. Deception of one another, deception of ourselves is what we find so often offered. We struggle with the ‘facts,’ the ‘teachings,’ the ‘assumptions,’ and the ‘truths’ presented to us. In a world so unhinged it is important to remember a few words that were spoken late in Jesus’ life: “For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice." (John 18:37)

Let us get close enough to hear him and know the truth.