Seeking Truth

This reflection contrasts truth used as political instrument with truth that liberates the soul. Politicians often curate facts to persuade and gain power; by contrast, the Gospel’s “truth will set you free” describes truths that reshape identity. Using the healed leper as an example, the talk shows how genuine gratitude—especially directed to God—reveals our dependence, exposes entitlement, and transforms how we see ourselves and others. Cultivating gratitude turns gifts into formative experiences, teaching us to speak and live truthfully rather than treat people as means to power. [28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C]

Reflecting on Naaman’s cleansing and Jesus’ healing of the ten lepers, this homily contrasts merely seeing facts with embracing the truth behind them—the latter can be transformative. That is why one grateful leper was saved—not just healed of his disease. In the same way, in the second reading Paul’s call to hold fast to truth leads to life, and turning away from truth leads nowhere.

This essay, taken with permission from the book Let's Talk About Truth (Ave Maria Press, 2020), explores how to form good judgments in a "post-truth" society by distinguishing between objective facts and subjective judgments. Using Chris Argyris' "Ladder of Inference" model, it explains how personal experiences, culture, and background shape how we select and interpret data to form opinions. The author, Ann Garrido, emphasizes three key principles for sound moral judgment: remaining grounded in reality, informing one's conscience through education and reflection, and considering impacts on others, especially the vulnerable. For navigating disagreements, the essay recommends assuming good intent, listening deeply, sharing reflectively from one's own perspective, and seeking divine guidance while acknowledging that resolution isn't always possible.

This essay, taken with permission from the book Let's Talk About Truth (Ave Maria Press, 2020) explores truth as both objective reality alignment and an ongoing aspiration. It critiques post-truth skepticism (doubting we can know anything) and relativism (all beliefs equally valid) while affirming that reality exists independently of our beliefs or perceptions. Author Ann Garrido emphasizes reason as God's gift for understanding reality, supporting scientific inquiry as compatible with faith. However, it acknowledges limits to knowledge-seeking when pursued through immoral means or before adequate maturity. The text calls preachers to help congregations embrace truth as both essential for survival and a lifelong practice of intellectual humility and curiosity.

This philosophical reflection argues that truth remains a fundamental value across cultures and throughout history. Drawing from Greek philosophy, Roman thought, and Christian theology, the author contends that truth is essential for meaningful relationships, just society, and spiritual life. The piece warns against "post-truth" attitudes that undermine moral and civil order.

This article by Annelise Jolley, published by the John Templeton Foundation, explores "magnanimous humility"—a virtue where knowledgeable people choose not to exercise their intellectual superiority, instead lowering their status to engage humbly with those who hold different truths. Unlike self-accepting humility (acknowledging limits), magnanimous humility maintains convictions while fostering genuine dialogue through generous listening and understanding others' perspectives as "true, good, and beautiful."

One can reframe the Good Samaritan parable by focusing on the scholar who questions Jesus. The preacher explores how we all struggle with self-justification and confirmation bias, especially in our information-saturated world. Like the scholar, we need courage and humility to question our assumptions, practice "cognitive hygiene," and remain open to transformation through genuine listening.

This text uses the traditional perfume-making process of enfleurage as a metaphor for Christian baptism. Just as flowers' essence gradually infuses fat and alcohol to create perfume, baptism begins a lifelong process where believers absorb Christ's character and "aroma," becoming witnesses whose spirit reflects compassion, mercy, generosity, and courage.  As such Christians can develop a "smell test" to be able to assess the truth of what others tell them.

This reflective piece explores the author's kinship with "Doubting Thomas" (called Didymus) as they both grapple with skepticism in an era of misinformation. While questioning is valuable, the author realizes that excessive doubt can become paralyzing. Like Thomas, they must eventually move beyond endless foundation-testing to build a life of faith and action.  [Prepared for the Feast of St. Thomas celebrated each year on July 3rd in Catholic calendar.]

Rev. Pritcher recalls Orthodox Jewish neighbors who broke Sabbath rules to help with an emergency, mirroring Jesus healing on the Sabbath despite religious objections. Both examples show that rigid law-following can miss God's kingdom in action. A commitment to truth extends beyond simply knowing what is good and right. It insists there be an alignment between what one knows and what one does grounded in compassion.