The Truth Sets Free (Jn. 8:32)

As we consider world history and situations we come to realize the truth of Christ’s words: “If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples, you will learn the truth and the truth will make you free” (Jn. 8:31-32).  Even if Christianity and its missionaries chose to follow the ways of love, peace and sacrifice in the process of propagating the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the whole world, the Lord has been pleased to crown their efforts and sacrifices with success.  The way the Christian missionaries have followed has protected the freedom of people/s consciences, as Jesus Himself advised: “Ask and it will be given you, search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you” (Mt. 7:7).  That presupposes good will on the part of the person that he be open to accept the objective truth and evidence with a sincere heart honestly seeking for the truth.  Just as in the case of the canonization of saints and blessed in the Catholic Church, the Lord provides signs and miracles that motivate people to believe.  You can check that for yourself, as in the case of Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, and many other saints, if you are patient enough to research.  After all the records are well documented.  As one famous Russian writer novelist Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910), author of War and Peace said before he died – ‘to seek, always to seek’.

The words of Jesus assure us that He will accompany the Church’s mission and evangelization in the world with signs from heaven: “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned.  These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover…and so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it” (Mk. 16:16-20).

Christ the King

The Church festivities celebrating events of the Lord’s life generally end with the celebration of Christ the King.  It began with the expectation of His birth and coming at the Advent Season.  When Pontius Pilate became procurator of Judea (year 26-36 A.D.) he asked Jesus: So you are a king then?  Jesus answered this way: “It is you who say it.  Yes, I am a king.  I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice” (Jn. 18:37).

         If we analyze the answer of Jesus and the development of Christianity in the subsequent events of the Resurrection of Jesus and the number of Christians and Catholics in the world today we can then stick to the voice of history and reality whereby the Church has documented many relevant historical facts as well as the miraculous signs of God’s intervention in the history of the Church and the thousands of saints whose lives are thoroughly described as conceding or professing the kingship of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The documentation in the lives of saints are based on facts, not just hearsay.  As the Latin proverb attests: Contra factum non valet argumentum (you do not argue against facts).

         “And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it” (Mark 16: 19-20).  If you wish to check for the signs and miracles please turn to the pages of history and documentation and ask or seek  for those proofs of Jesus’ divinity.  After all as Jesus had said “everyone who seeks always finds” (Mt. 7:7).

Holy Land Experience

Having had the chance to visit the Holy Land last Oct. 6-12, 2012 was certainly an unforgettable experience to thank God for.

For one thing, the Neo-Catechumenal group with whom we joined were most considerate and friendly, not just exteriorly but from sincere desire and devotion of the heart.  That made the experience doubly memorable since we don’t usually expect such warmth and care from a mixture of elder Asian bisops of different nationalities of Asia.  Surely warmth and sincerity are always visible if they truly come from the heart.

The occasion that took place in Galilee was the convivence (a get together) of more than 165 Catholic bishops from Asia, even including some other rites which also belonged to the Catholic faith (like the Siro-Malabar rite, for example), most of whom had links with the Neo-Catechumenal groups organized worldwide by Kiko Arguello.

What is important in gatherings like these is the help we get from other well-meaning friends who guide us in our quest for the truth.  In this world where we know the devil has been given the freedom to spread his errors, how important it is that we help one another find the truth in every situation, especially in matters vital to our eternal salvation.  If we want to make sure of success in material pursuits, how much more should be our interest in securing success in matters connected to the eternal felicity of our spirit.  Surely this is just a confirmation of Jesus’ parting words to His disciples: “I give you a new commandment: love one another; just as I have loved you, you must also love one another.  By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples” (Jn. 13:34-35). 

How heavenly is the companionship of people who witness in truth, sincerity and action to the veracity of such love and care.  They are a testimony indeed that God knows and reads the deepest secrets of the human heart.  The Bible psalms extol such unity, harmony and patience that could only be fruit of prayer and God’s grace: “how good, how delightful it is for all to live together like brothers:…copious as Hermon dew falling on the heights of Zion, where Yahweh confers his blessing, everlasting life” (Ps.133:1-3).

Mystifying history

The interventions of God in human history are not always easy of comprehension.  For example, in spite of much opposition the Catholic Church has grown through the years.  Of course, we most certainly ascribe that to God’s omnipotent providence.  The important point is that the Catholic Church simply endeavors to follow its Founder in being faithful to the truth taught by our Lord Jesus and live in accord with the way He lived, as shown by His example.  It’s not always easy to understand God’s ways since it’s part of our faith to accept unquestionably what His infallible word tells us.

What is important is our assurance of being in possession of the truth, even if it comes through the Church.  But there are signs that are convincing enough.  “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned.  These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover…And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it” (Mk. 16:16-20).

Much of these signs and miracles have been carefully documented or recorded, if you really care or desire to know about them, more so especially in the lives of the saints, since these extraordinary signs or miracles are a requisite proof of God’s intervention or approval, specially in cases of the canonization of saints.