St. Tikhon’s Seminary
South Canaan, Pennsylvania
May 26, 1997
St. Tikhon Monastery
South Canaan, Pennsylvania
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
The issue of truth provides the basis for this morning’s Gospel reading. Having listened to this reading, all of us are now called to examine ourselves in relationship to the truth. But before we can begin this analysis we must first have a clear understanding of what the Gospel means when it refers to truth.
One of the poignant and tragic questions raised in the Gospel comes from the mouth of Pontius Pilate. Before the Lord is sentenced by the authorities to die, there is a compelling exchange between him and Pilate. In the course of this exchange Jesus says to the governor; “every one who is of the truth hears my voice” (Jn 18:38). Pilate responds with a brief question; “What is truth?” (Ibid.) The tragedy of Pilate’s question rests in the fact that the Truth was standing in his presence.
Truth is the incarnate God-Man Jesus Christ. It is not an ideology or a philosophy. It is not, as may have been the case for Pilate, a political system nor a careful application of Roman law. In the Gospel according to Saint John, Pilate’s question is highlighted by the response Jesus receives from so many of his own people. Among the leaders and teachers of Israel were those who, because of their hard hearts, did not correctly understand the law and the prophets. The law of Moses became an end in itself while the prophets foretold the coming of a military Messiah who would restore Israel as a great worldly power. For this reason the chief priests and officers of the temple cry out for the crucifixion of Jesus (Jn 19:6ff).
What we have heard this morning has a direct tie to the trial and sentencing of the Lord. It is a reading that requires us to understand that we are being called to draw near and to embrace the one who is the Truth. It is a reading that strongly reminds us of our great and high calling to be in Union and communion with the incarnate Son of God.
Yet, to have this personal relationship with the God-Man requires that we not only see him as the Truth but that we see the truth about ourselves. To confess that we know Jesus Christ to be the Truth enjoins us to confess that we have often sought after false truths and false gospels. And it is these false truths and false gospels that bind us to sin and death. Thus, this morning’s reading exhorts us to flee from worldly power and glory. It exhorts us to understand that without Christ we stand apart from the Truth subjecting ourselves to those powerful ties which make the Word of God unbearable. Indeed, this is perhaps the most frightening aspect of this morning’s reading; “Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word…Because I tell the truth, you do not believe me” (Jn 8: 43,45). Consequently even when the Truth is known the lie prevails.
Beloved in the Lord, as we continue to celebrate the bright Feast of the Resurrection we are now called to embrace the incarnate Truth. We are now called to withdraw from all sin—from all the lies we allow to rule over us. Together, in the Holy Spirit, let us receive the Word of the Father. For it is this True Word, who yearns to share His life with us in the Kingdom, where death and lies no longer reign. Amen!
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!