WITNESS OF THE TRUTH
There’s a characteristic that defines Jesus and configures his whole action: his will to live in the truth. His decision to live in reality is surprising, without deluding himself or deluding anyone. It’s not often that we encounter a person like that in history. Jesus only says the truth. He believes in the truth and seeks it. He’s convinced that the truth humanizes everyone.
That’s why he doesn’t tolerate lies or coverups. He doesn’t put up with distortion or manipulations. In him there’s no tendency to dissimulate the truth or change it into propaganda. His honesty with reality makes him free to say the whole truth. Jesus becomes «voice of the voiceless, and voice against those who have too much voice» (Jon Sobrino).
Jesus always gets to the bottom of things. He speaks with authority because he speaks from the truth. He doesn’t need false authoritarianisms. He speaks with conviction, but without dogmatisms. He doesn’t need to pressure anyone. His truth is enough. He doesn’t shout against the ignorant, but against those who falsify the truth out of interest in order to act unjustly.
Jesus invites us to seek the truth. He doesn’t talk like the fanatics, who impose it, nor like the functionaries, who «defend» it out of obligation. He says things with absolute simplicity and authority. What he says and does is clear and easy to understand. People perceive it right away. In contact with Jesus each one finds herself and finds what’s best within herself. Jesus brings us to our own truth.
When this man talks about a God who wants a life of dignity for the most unfortunate and defenseless, he’s credible. His word isn’t like that of a charlatan interested in his own cause. Nor is it like that of a pious religious seeking his own spiritual welfare. It is the word of one who brings the truth of God to those who want to welcome it.
According to the fourth Gospel, Jesus says: «I have come to this world so that those who do not see, might see, and those who do see, might become blind». That’s the way he is. When we recognize our blindness and welcome his Gospel, we begin to see the truth.
José Antonio Pagola
Translator: Fr. Jay VonHandorf
