TRUTH AND CONSEQUENCES

“I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to guard them from the evil one.” –John 17:15

We follow the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth (Jn 16:13). “Since we live by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s lead” (Gal 5:25). As we receive the Spirit ever more deeply during the Pentecost Novena and on Pentecost Sunday, the Spirit will guide us to all truth, if we allow Him (Jn 16:13). We will be prompted to speak the truth in love (see Eph 4:15).

Throughout history, there have always been those who pervert the truth, and so we are compelled to proclaim the truth and defend it, whether in words, actions, or lifestyles. The enemies of the truth will oppose us. Jesus is not going to take us out of the world to shield us from such attacks (Jn 17:15). He places us in the world, like wheat among the weeds (Mt 13:29), to love and convert the weeds, that is, the enemies of the truth.

It is vital to defend the truth and, probably even more important in God’s eyes (see Lk 15:7, 10), to lead people to repentance and salvation in Christ. Speak and live the truth in love (Eph 4:15). “Receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:22), the Spirit of Truth.

PRAYER: Father, may I never “do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth” (2 Cor 13:8).

PROMISE: “I commend you now to the Lord, and to that gracious word of His which can enlarge you, and give you a share among all who are consecrated to Him.” –Acts 20:32

PRAISE: Denise answered the call to become a Secular Franciscan, like St. Francis, in but not of the world (see Jn 15:19).