Daniel 7:13-14 Revelation 1:5-8 John 18:33b-37
Everywhere we look in today’s readings there are references to kings, kingdoms, kingships, and the like. However, as I read these readings, another word takes center stage in my mind. That word is “truth”. Look closely. There it is, used twice in the last lines of John’s Gospel passage for today. And it is Jesus who uses this word, emphatically:
“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.”
How well I remember the many religion classes and the theological conversations I have had with people over the years, which often concluded that “God is love”. And I believe this to be true. God is the epitome of love - unconditional love for all God’s creatures and all God’s creation. And we are called upon to emulate that love to the best of our abilities.
Today’s readings, especially the Gospel, assert that God is also truth! Elizabeth Nagel, writing in the book: Workbook for Lectors, Gospel Readers and Proclaimers of the Word, 2021, (c. 2020, Archdiocese of Chicago), makes an eloquent connection between the concept of Christ’s “Kingship” and the theme of truth:
“Jesus’ kingdom is a spiritual one that exists in people of every nation who have a personal relationship with him and thus with each other. The primary mission of this global community is to bear witness to the truth for which Jesus died, namely that God loves all peoples, seeks their common good, and desires to live with them forever.” As we look toward Advent, which begins next weekend, the above quote gives us more than enough to think about, chew on and even wrestle with, as we strive to prepare our hearts…to welcome again, the coming of our Lord and Savior. I invite you to feel the clarity and the challenge of Elizabeth Nagel’s words. I clearly feel challenged by them! (Note: Use of bold print for emphasis is mine.)
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