“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6)
When we do as the apostles, taking their clue in giving our lives meaning by accepting the invitation of Jesus to “Follow Me,” we learn why the early church’s first title was “The Way” (Acts 9:19, 24). Learning is a process, not just a goal. We measure our intelligence and wisdom not by a diploma or degree, but what we’ve been discovering and assimilating on the pathway through life. We realize that our salvation came through the cross and resurrection of Christ, yet we find ourselves growing in understanding as we follow Him from the incarnation through His ascent and return to the “right hand of the Father.”
In that way we learn what Truth is; or better put, Who is Truth. He teaches by example, the variant meanings of truth. For the Jews truth is the Law, and to abide by it is to be right with God. You shall honor the Sabbath. No exceptions accepted. And yet we find Him breaking that law. He heals on the Sabbath. Was that wrong? Following Him we remember that He is also the Truth. So truth transcends Law. As we wend our way through this life, we are trained to be law-abiding citizens of our country and to keep the traditions and rules of the Church; however, we realize that at times situations we find ourselves in may create conditions that cause us to reflect on our values and consider what would be the best way to resolve the given situation.
Truth can be understood as reason. The Greek term aletheia has this meaning. The proper way to act is to do what is logical. In following Christ we realize that He isn’t always rational in the world’s understanding of the term. When St. Peter chastises the Lord for dropping hints that His way of redeeming humanity has to do with suffering, rejection and ultimately crucifixion, He rebukes the apostle in strongest terms, calling him Satan for realizing that the evil one is speaking through him. Later when He announced His intention to go up to Jerusalem, St. Thomas made a similar observation.
Through the centuries, Christians who had acted in accordance with their faith, not their instinct for self-preservation, giving their bodies to be tortured and put to death for the sake of Christ, have been considered holy martyrs and honored by the Church. We as members of The Way, following the living Way, Jesus Christ, find meaning each hour of the days of our lives as we are challenged by the constant question: What is the right way to reply to another person, to act in a manner fitting as a Christian, or to do what the Lord would have me do?
Truth is that glorious Person whose life, death and resurrection give meaning to the entire world. Like Him we obey the Law [Hebrew emet] and live by the Ten Commandments, but also like Him we find there are situations when we must use our consciences to weigh right and wrong, making the best choice given the circumstances.
And we realize that Life is not limited to this present lifetime, but Christ the Life of the world shows us the meaning of His admonition: “He who loves his life in this world must lose it, but he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:15). Following His example we comprehend the great truth that the present life is but a preparation for what is to come. He will be there at the end, and I will not only be following Him but He will turn around to face me and greet me, welcoming me as a true follower of Him in this world and beyond.