Where and how do you search for the truths of the faith and of God? Do you simply go with the flow? - Daily Reflections September 23, 2016

THE TYRANNY OF THE MAJORITY

 

Three priests and a nun were debating on a theological question. The three priests agreed on the matter while the nun was by her lonesome. The sister, a very holy nun, prayed to God for a rainbow as a sign that she was right. Right there and then, a rainbow appeared in the sky. The sister proclaimed, “You see I’m right!” “Not so quick, sister,” one of the priests quickly retorted, “it’s still three against one.” The sister prayed for another sign. This time God Himself spoke through the clouds and with a loud booming voice said, “Sister is right!” “Well?” the sister asked. The three priests looked at one another and glanced around, and finally one says, “OK, so it’s three to two!”

       Today in the Gospel, Jesus asked for an opinion poll. The responses were many and varied — and wrong. Then Peter spoke, “You are the Messiah of God.” He was alone but Peter got it right. Truth is truth even if no one believes it and error is error even if everybody believes it.

      When Pope Benedict XVI visited the UK and Scotland, he spoke many times about the convenient seduction of relativism, i.e., the view that truth is relative, it depends on what I think and feel — to each his own. Relativists  will maintain that “there is no truth!” to which we should reply, “Is that true?” Relativists will counter, “Well, if there is truth, you cannot know it,” to which we should reply, “How do you know?” Finally, the relativists will argue, “Well, if one can know, one can never be sure,” to which we should ask, “Are you sure?”

       Maybe you have heard the phrase that goes, “The Church is not and cannot be democracy.” This does not mean that the Church operates like a tyrant. In the area of faith and morals, truth is determined by the wise use of reason reflecting on the natural moral law. Truth is served by consulting the legitimate sources of moral and doctrinal wisdom like the Scriptures, the sacred tradition, and the works of theologians. Truth is served by the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, who was promised by Jesus Himself to Peter and the disciples and their legitimate successors. Fr. Joel Jason

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Where and how do you search for the truths of the faith and of God? Do you simply go with the flow?

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church. You do not wish us to stray from Your truth. Make me a voracious and courageous seeker of Your truth. Amen.