Fr. Don's Daily Reflection - April 23, 2024
Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from you.”
“In vino veritas” (literally “In wine we find the truth”); the old proverb reminds us that tongues loosened by alcohol often blurt out truths otherwise kept to ourselves. Another old saying (“out of the mouths of babes…”) is that children in their naïveté may let fall uncomfortable truths. For instance: an elderly man with a cane was walking out of a funeral home visitation; he finds the exit is under the “control” of two young children. A little boy and a girl, presumably his sister, a few heads taller than him, are opening the door. As he goes through the door the little boy acknowledges the cane and says "broken leg." “No”, says the man. The little girl offers: "It's something that happens when you're very, very old." There may be other reminders too for an octogenarian, but this is easier to welcome, coming from such innocence.
The truth about ourselves, about life, can be found, of course, through self-examination or accepting the comments of a friend. But frequently, the genuine truth comes from less likely sources. People who are not our biggest fans can come up with critical remarks or, even in anger, let out uncomfortable truths. Even if the source at first raises our hackles more than our self-awareness, there may be a kernel of truth in such remarks. Literature and theater can similarly open our eyes.
It’s easy to build up defenses against seeing our true selves and opening ourselves to change. When seasons like Lent and Easter call us to conversion, the initial phase may be self-knowledge. Unless we see the issues, it's unlikely we'll welcome the cure. We don't see the Savior unless we see the sin. We undervalue family and friends till some horror brings it home to us. Having our usual social activities curtailed gives us time to learn about the people with whom we are closeted.
Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”
