Fr. Glenn Jones
One of the more unpleasant aspects of my new job for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe is being the referee of sorts between differing parties—trying to liberate truth from the shackles of the two adversarial positions. For the casual observer that may sound fairly simply, but the initiated can assure you that it is not.
One of the complicating aspects which worms its way into the proceedings is nefarious pride—not pride such as a parent might have at the success of a child, but rather the self-interested and defensive pride which obscures truth, preventing reconciliation and the hoped-for mutual satisfaction of settling on the truth that must exist. As one party begins feeling the loss of his/her secure position, then exaggerations may become more … well … exaggerated, the attacks more personal, etc., rendering attempts at reasoned argument virtually worthless. Sometimes the “cause” of a difficulty may be almost vanishingly trivial, and yet the “aggrieved” party simply cannot let go.
We all have people who grate against our nerves a bit. But … should that matter? Is it reasonable to let differences of personality or manner or inevitable diversities among persons prevent a productive working relationship and possibly even mutually-fulfilling friendship? Do we not teach children to “get along and be friends”? Are we not to take our own sage advice?
I often consider two of Jesus’ apostles who must have had some very “interesting” discussions. Better known is Matthew, or Levi, the tax collector for the Roman authorities … the invaders, the conquerors, the occupiers. Tax collectors had the freedom and were well known to levy more (often much more) than what was required, pocketing the remainder. This, of course, made them scum in Jewish society … despised as collaborators, traitors and thieves … cowards backed by Roman might.
And then there was Simon the Cananaean, a.k.a., “Simon the Zealot”. Zealous for what? He was likely an ardent nationalist, perhaps participating in rebel actions before his apostleship under Jesus. Simon would have thus viewed the Roman occupiers and their toadies (such as Matthew) as mortal enemies. Now with those two around the campfire, you know that that conversation must have been lively!
But, between the two was Jesus, who refers to Himself as the way, the truth and the life … a claim affirmed by His teaching of love of God and neighbor, and His subsequent sacrificing of self upon the cross in that great act of love for all. And so, recognizing the greater good of truth, Matthew and Simon lay aside animosities to work together for the fulfillment of mission.
No doubt Simon and Matthew had arguments; after all, those sometimes doofus-y apostles were always comparing themselves to one another (Luke 9:46) or jockeying for greater position and honor (Mark 10:35-37). But Jesus says—and we recognize—that it is not the one who seeks one’s own honor and glory who is the greatest, but rather the one who in humility seeks that elusive common good for all—whether it be in a small office, an enterprise, a nation or the world. One who is truly great does not go tooting his own horn on street corners; people recognize the truly great regardless.
We all have witnessed how truth can fall victim to self-interest, bias, etc.; we see it daily in the news, and especially in social media. How fix the eclipsing of truth? Hmmmm … that’s a hard one, for who would be universal guardian of “truth”—we remembering the corrupting influence of power? History is replete with agonized contortions of truth for the purpose of self-interest, whether such self-interest be in politics, business, relationships, or in whatever a less than-scrupulous person would seeks illicit advantage.
One of the most inspiring cinematic examples of selfless devotion to truth is in the Liam Neeson version of “Les Miserables”, when Jean Valjean, though easily able to do so, refuses to allow a case of mistaken identity to condemn an innocent man. Valjean throws off his secret identity and acquired prestige so as to take the condemnation rightfully (if unjustly) upon himself.
How establish a culture of truth? By such self-sacrifice—the sacrifice of perceived, short-term self-interest in preference to the lasting honor and principle of truth.
“What is truth?”, Pontius Pilate asked musingly. We Christians, of course, believe that Jesus in His divinity is truth; that His command to love God and neighbor is truth. But even the non-Christian can realize that only in truth can we find common good and common benefit for all. No, we may not be successful in changing the world with unwavering devotion to truth … but we can ask ourselves those persistent nagging questions: “If not I, who? If not now, when?”… and then we might be able to at least influence our own little corner.
To stand with truth takes courage—courage and steadfastness to withstand resistance by the world … and yet all that is worthwhile does require courage. We may have lapses and failures, but habits are made, not born … and with increasing practice, ardent adherence to truth will become ever more the ready virtue. And so…
Let us, therefore, celebrate…not with the old leaven…of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Corinthians 5:8)
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. (Psalm 51:6)
Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.
