Reflection
Whoever lives the truth comes to the light,
so that their works may be clearly seen as done in God.
John 3:21
It is easy to speak in pious language but usually our listeners carry away no long term convictions. Yet, being in contact with another whose presence reveals an inner spirituality which meets our own desire can be truly inspiring. In one of his reflections, Thomas Merton describes a person who is centered in God as a window whose glass is invisible when the Light shines through. As people of integrity and faith, we need not hide behind safe words. Our media reports so many words that bend the facts and political figures who “misspeak” that society has become numbed for lack of truth. As Paul wrote, we are called not only to share the truth of the gospel but also to share it in our very selves.
Prayer
May I speak the truth in love.
Action
Am I afraid to speak what I truly believe? Do my words allow others to understand my beliefs and aspirations? Where do I share my very self? What light do I share?
Suggested Reading
I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.
John 14:6
Proclaim the truth and do not be silent through fear.
St. Catherine of Siena
Loving the truth means not only affirming it, but rather living it, bearing witness to it in your work. … The issue is not that of being or not being a believer. The issue here is being or not being honest with yourself and with others.
Pope Francis
Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world…would do this, it would change the earth.
William Faulkner
Truth never damages a cause that is just.
Mahatma Gandhi
Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people.
Spencer Johnson
We learned about honesty and integrity – that the truth matters… that you don’t take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules… and success doesn’t count unless you earn it fair and square.
Michelle Obama
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.
Winston Churchill
Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.
Albert Schweitzer
Never, for the sake of peace and quiet, deny your own experience or convictions.
Dag Hammarskjold
In the last analysis, what we are communicates far more eloquently than anything we say or do.
Stephen Covey
I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.
Abraham Lincoln