Monday of the 3rd Week of Eastertide
Acts 6:8-15
Jn 6:22-29
They found they could not get the better of him because of his wisdom, and because it was the Spirit that prompted what he said.
Those words still ring true today, don’t they? Truth is often covered up. These days, ‘Truth’ is often ‘made up’. We live in a world, and I live in a country, where (all the) facts no longer seem to matter – to such an extent that fabrication, exaggeration, intentional confusion and out and out lies are spread in all forms of print and media. From the biggest, most global of media outlets to the innumerable basement videos and blogs on every issue. Constantly. Whatever it takes to make me/my side right/good and you/your side wrong/bad is all that is important to so many. The truth becomes inconsequential because the liar justifies his saying/spreading lies and half-truths because he thinks he stands with the greater good – he believes ‘wicked’ for good is okay. So slander is acceptable. Libel is acceptable.
Yet, we know that the fact remains that lying is nothing new, as our first reading explicitly states:
…then they instigated some men to say,“we have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.”… They presented false witnesses who testified,“This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law.”
And this lying, attacking, misrepresenting, slander continues, to the glee of the enemy of Truth.
I ask myself, WHY? Why can’t everyone just tell the truth instead of inciting division with sentences of half (IF ANY) truths? WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE???? And the answer is right there in scripture – at the beginning and at the end — in Genesis and in Revelation. We are not perfect and the father of lies never ceases to whisper – and shout — in our ears. Two truths and a lie is often how he invites discord, which turns into discouragement, which turns into disagreement, which turns into dissention, which turns into division. And then, we scatter and oppose each other.
And the gospel becomes watered down and even hidden, while the desires of the enemy take over – making everything become me vs. you. Politics (global, local, even in the church itself) is certainly an easy environment for the devil to play in. And haven’t we turned pretty much everything into politics? We have people who won’t celebrate a family wedding, or mourn a family funeral, because of politics. Yet we Christians must reflect on words and the walking of Christ. On the fact that Jesus never involved himself with politics – despite what many, including some who stand at a church pulpit or altar may say. Jesus never attacked his oppressors, never formed a group to protest the government (or any group) and never even engaged in political conversation. Instead, Jesus turned the other cheek, remained silent and went about His Father’s mission.
Jesus spoke against our true enemy, not our neighbour of a different culture, religion or political belief. Jesus spoke about our Father and that our mission is to put God first in all things. In the words of today’s gospel, Jesus answers the question, “What must we do if we are to do the works that God wants?” “This is working for God: you must believe in the one he has sent.”
Brothers and sisters, share the gospel with your words and actions – be a Mother Teresa in the acre that God has placed you, and remember it is ALL OF US with Christ against the angel of death – that is the battle and that is our only enemy. Let us not despair like Judas, and get involved in passing things; but repent and embrace Christ and our cross, just like Peter.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Gina Ulicny)
Prayer: Come Holy Spirit, fill me with the goodness of God and wisdom to recognise the enemy in all his forms and words of discord. Fill me with the wisdom to never forget that every human is your beloved.
Thanksgiving: Father God, we ask for the grace to live wrapped up in You, and not in this world. Transform our hearts Lord, so that we will work with You in transforming our lives to become your saints on this earth.
OXYGEN 
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