By Fr. Glenn Jones:
Anyone who has been a teacher or supervisor over others know the drill: One person complains about another, his/her story slanted so as to bolster his case against the “accused” … conveniently omitting essential or twisting facts to his own benefit. And then you are forced to the role of referee/judge, trying to sort out facts from conflicting accounts, not infrequently unverifiable or even fabricated, whether maliciously or in the accuser’s imagination. It often concludes (unsatisfactorily) with uncertain believability and empathy/sympathy with one side or the other in the absence of the verifiable and concrete.
Another source of frustration is casuistry, defined as “specious, deceptive, or oversubtle reasoning, especially in questions of morality; fallacious or dishonest application of general principles” per dictionary.com. One form of this might be the simple refusal to give a direct answer to a direct question, avoiding truth via verbal gymnastics. And, of course, there may be downright malicious lying.
Oddly enough, some express admiration of the skill of some deceivers and liars, especially with attaining political goals: “Look how skillfully he lied to avoid blame!” But the obvious question becomes: if he’s obviously lying about one thing, what’s the likelihood with other things? How much of that iceberg is underwater?
As with most challenges, people make risk/reward calculations in being deciding to be truthful and forthright or not. Does the possible gain outweigh the risk of being caught and exposed? Well, that depends on one’s values. If one prefers a juvenile thrill of “getting away with something,” malicious retributional satisfaction against foes or material gain, then he may be easily corrupted to falsehood or misdirection. However, if it’s personal honor, integrity and uprightness that one values, it will be difficult if not impossible to sway him from those virtues. Does “everyone have a price”? We’d certainly like to think not … that at least some would be incorruptible. As Jesus stated: “For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Mark 8:36)
If you have to lie to attain a goal, is the goal actually worth attaining? There is a certain cowardice in refusing to be truthful or forthright in order to achieve a goal; perhaps even more so to avoid accountability for one’s actions. Indeed, in times past it was seen as pathetically “unmanly” and lacking in courage to not be depended upon to speak truth.
Certainly what comes to mind for Jews and Christians is the commandment: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16). Regardless, many if not most, will at times—especially when confronted unexpectedly—twist the truth to some degree out of an instinctive self-preservational reaction; thus the fallibility of the human spirit. And yet, the goal for all should be to do only that which is right and good, and progress toward that ever-laudable state will diminish temptations to untruthfulness. After all, if one would not openly declare the action he does or the position that he holds, then why do it? Why hold it? It’s the old saying: “What you do when no one is looking shows your true character.”
As with physical conditioning, we have to practice spiritual conditioning as well—seeking to be ever more steadfast in doing good and being truthful in all situations, even those—especially those—which may prove detrimental to our immediate worldly status or material gain. Being truthful, come what may. This comes with the very definition of “character”.
And, O Christian, as disciples of Christ, are we not to emulate and imitate Christ in example and act in accordance with His teaching. If, then, we believe that Christ is “the way, the truth and the life”, is not life identified with truth? Will we not remember the very numerous exhortations in scripture and even principles of secular ethics in truthfulness? “A righteous man hates falsehood, but a wicked man acts shamefully and disgracefully.” (Proverbs 13:5) “…putting away falsehood, let everyone speak the truth with his neighbor…” (Ephesians 4:25). And (yikes!): “…nothing unclean shall enter [Heaven], nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood…” (Revelation 21:27) Remembering these recalls yet another scripture: “…before you [are] life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him; for that means life to you…” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)
So let us always strive to hold with truthfulness, to be able to stand before God and the world with spiritual garment unblemished. But like the good trainer, we must have patience with those who are making wholehearted efforts to improve—even with ourselves. Virtue, like vice, increases with doing. Only the very exceptional can start by running marathons; most have to build up endurance and strength and distance. St. Paul dealt with the same: “…you need someone to teach you again the first principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food; for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their faculties trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:12-14) It’s time to grow up.
May God bless us and imbue us with courage and strength to be truthful in all aspects of our lives, and to be sincere followers and devotees of the Eternal Good.
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“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:12-13)
Editor’s note: 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.
