Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the Last Week after the Epiphany: Year 2
Morning, Psalms 26 and 28; Evening, Psalms 36 and 39;
Proverbs 30:1 to 4 and 24 to 33; Philippians, 3:1 to 11; John 18:28 to 38
“Pilate asked him, ‘What is truth?” (John 18: 38)
Our former Arch Bishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverent Rowan Williams, said, this question from Pontius Pilot about what is truth is the most profound question in the New Testament. I too have found that many of the most profound statements in scriptures, in fact, come from the lips of people who are less than holy but none the less raise the most interesting subjects to ponder.
When I mentor Education for Ministry I often have to remind participants that we should look for truth, not facts, as we ponder the scriptures and other readings. The truth is that there is a God and that God created all things and loves what is being created. Some of our so-called facts were that this earth was created in six days, and that it is flat. Facts are not the truth in all situations. We should look for truths.
There is truth in the history of the world that God Incarnate walked among us to experience what it is like to be one of us. Often what separates truth from fact is when it happened. So-called facts tend to have happened in the past, recent or long ago (six days). Truth, on the other hand is ongoing and now (God loves us).
For me, I thrive on the now. God loves us. We all have history. Some good, and some not so good, but God loves us anyway. More often than not, we are treated by one another based on what we believe to be facts (whether criminal or heroic). It is only ourselves and God Almighty who knows the truth. Our Lord Jesus, present before Pilot, knew the Truth. Pilot did not. And yet our Lord Jesus was being tried on alleged facts. But our Lord Jesus tells of another way, the truth. In fact he proclaims that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6).
Facts tend to exist in the evidence, be it from a microscope, telescope or forensics for the purpose of prosecution. Truth, on the other hand, resides in the heart. No matter what we have done in this life, God is beyond facts, God measures our hearts. Thank you Lord Jesus for you are the Truth.
Please, let us continue to pray for, and respond as we can, for Ukraine and her people.
As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
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