5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

02-09-2025Pastor's CornerFr. Bob Deehan

I came across a saint I knew nothing about recently reading Matthew Kelly’s “Saint of the Day” for Jan. 29 – that I share with you. It is St. Gildas the Wise (6th century). While we don’t know a whole lot about St. Gildas, we do know that he was “of the truth.” That may be why he came to be known as Gildas the Wise. After all, wisdom is truth lived. St. Gildas lived the truth by condemning the corruption of British kings and clergy in his book, On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain.

In the way of prophets, as Britain experienced a period of decline and turmoil, Gildas boldly proclaimed the truth and warned his contemporaries to turn back to God.

Kelly reflects on Jesus’ mission as the bearer of truth. While being questioned by Pontius Pilate, Jesus said, “… I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.” (John 18:37) Are you “of the truth?” Would Jesus place you in that category when he comes again? The reality is that there are many times in our lives when we have a very casual relationship with the truth. Even times when we don’t lie, but we hold information back. Or, we say nothing at all. Today, “truth” can be conveniently twisted to advance one’s agenda. Think about alternative definitions used today for marriage, human life, and the rule of law. There are those who deny the obvious, dismiss or skew the facts, and get away with it. Some websites and social media are created to promote propaganda. In recent time, we hear about “fake news.” When truth is undermined, trust is undermined. When we cannot trust someone to speak and live by the truth, chaos results because anything goes and deception becomes a new norm. Suspicion and fear take over.

How are you being influenced by this “new norm?” Examine your relationship with the truth. Think about times you stand in the truth and the times you don’t. How often do you stay silent when you could speak the truth? How often do you bend the truth, even a little? What temptations most often pull you away from the truth? Which people in your life are you the least truthful with? Who or what influences you to compromise the truth? What part of your life most needs to be more fully aligned with the truth? In this time in our history, let us pray for ourselves and for those around us – to courageously speak the truth and live by truth even when the tide is against us. St. Gildas the Wise, pray for us!