Word to the Wise
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - 7th Week of Easter - Wed
[Acts 20:28-38 and John 17:11b-19]Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.
As I write this, I am attending the annual provincial assembly of the Southern Dominican Province. On occasions of this kind, one will hear the various "mottos" or "slogans" of the Order in various contexts. One of those mottos is VERITAS (Truth). In the Gospel of John, the word "truth" appears many times and often in a "confrontational" situation. Perhaps most famously we hear it in the dialog between Jesus and Pilate when Jesus says, "For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.' Pilate said to him, 'What is truth?'" (John 18:35-36)
When I became the Master of Novices for our province (1988-92), I challenged the novices to answer this question: Does becoming a Dominican tell the truth about you? As I look around me at this assembly, I am able to see that truth presents itself in the diversity of personalities and ministries represented in all these friars. Truth as presented by Jesus is not some intellectual assent to a list of descriptive principles or abstract statements. Truth as presented by Jesus is Jesus himself! This is why Pilate's question is ironic! The "Truth" was standing right in front of him. That is my experience at the moment at this assembly!
The most effective preaching takes place before a preacher ever opens his mouth to preach. It is the life of the preacher that preaches first. If people do not see Christ in the person of the preacher, no words will ever be sufficient. AMEN