What To Believe

(Character matters)

It’s a usual problem in our world today. Whom to believe? People generally seem to claim to have or tell the truth. Who in our world are we to believe in?

Now this is also connected with character. If he or she is one who usually tells the truth, says what he or she means, and means what he or she says, then there is probability of that person telling the truth, more specially if we have observed that person’s sincerity in seeking for the truth of things or events. Yea, it’s part of that person’s character.

I know St. Teresa once said that in this scheming world we do not have to believe just anybody but rather only those who put their faith into action and actually live the gospel of Jesus. That’s why Jesus criticized so much the Pharisees and lawgivers who were diligent in proclaiming God’s laws and decrees but negligent in putting them into practice. (cf. Mt. 23:1-12). Jesus criticized their greed for money and worldliness (see the whole chapter of Mt. 23).

St. Teresa had also said something which may make our words more trustworthy, if we keep them: “Never affirm anything unless you are sure it is true.” Many in our society just keep on talking as if they knew all but much of what they say is unfounded. For example, the RH bill supporters argue the tiny fetus has no human soul. Then with the world’s vacant spaces they assert our world is over-populated. Decide for yourself who is telling the truth. Is it the Church asking for respect for life or the materialist anti-lifers who think of compensation, money, pleasure, and comforts? There is no gainsaying the fact of man’s weakness in the face of temptation and from the Catholic catechism we know the source of grace to be prayer and the sacraments. St. Paul was humble enough to admit that when he said: “By the grace of God, I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15:10).