The Cathedral Close

Despite modern “fluidity” with truth, particularly among the political classes, how unnatural falsehood appears from the abhorrence with which it is properly regarded. The first lie was told by the devil, and we therefore instinctively hate a lie. It follows also from this fact that all liars are following his example, and must therefore share his fearful doom. The result of lying is, that no one will trust the liar. If others do not respect a man or woman, nor trust them what friendship can there be? Further, without friendship, what joy is there in life?

It has been said that he who utters a lie braves the displeasure of God, whom he ought to fear; while he is unwilling to incur the wrath of man, of whom he has no need to be afraid. Perhaps he hopes by means of his lie to gain something from man, who can do nothing that will be any really good to him without the blessing of God; while he deprives himself of all help from God, who alone can do him good.

Exaggeration is a form of untruthfulness which should be carefully guarded against. A little exaggeration may seem to give more point to a good story, so that it is often thoughtlessly indulged in; or our feeling towards another may so influence our words that we may, almost without intending it, speak more severely of him than the occasion requires, or than the circumstances warrant us in speaking. We shall not, however, regret it if we train ourselves to care less for triumph than for truth.

The Lord Jesus Christ died rather than fail in speaking the truth. His disciples are all of them soldiers of the truth. When St. Paul equips the Christian soldier he arms him fast with the girdle of truth. In like manner, St. John so dearly prized truth, that he wrote that he had no greater joy than to hear that his children were holding fast the truth of God, and that they were themselves truthful. God is a God of truth, and all His children must before all things be true.

Prayer

O God, help me, I beseech Thee, always to speak the truth, and if need be patiently to suffer for the truth’s sake, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From Lent for Busy People © 2017 Fr. Charles H. Nalls