Friday, April 24th, 2020

Catholics, and the Catholic Church, have nothing to fear from the truth. That’s one of the key points in today’s readings. The Pharisees are getting narky: but it’s not true, they will lead people astray, its will be a disaster. The wise Gamaliel stands up and makes a simple point: If this enterprise, this movement of theirs, is of human origin it will break up of its own accord; but if it does in fact come from God you will not only be unable to destroy them, but you might find yourselves fighting against God.  

This is important first of all for Catholics. There is always the temptation for us to be defensive, or to, even for the reason of protecting the Church, hiding the truth. Of course, defending reality is important: but it is not first of all the Church we are defending, but the truth! As for hiding things to protect the Church’s reputation - do I really need to speak about the extent of harm that has caused throughout history, even recent history? And as for science and reason: properly used, these things only compliment and underline the beauty of the Gospel! No - as the saying goes: Speak the Truth, and shame the Devil!

Let us pray:

O God, hope and light of the sincere,

we humbly entreat you to dispose our hearts

to offer you worthy prayer

and ever to extol you

by dutiful proclamation of your praise.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.