We are all in search of truth if we know it or not. People pursue this reality in many ways such as sex, drugs, alcohol, money, possessions, food, entertainment, and this list goes on and on. No matter the pursuit we are after that which is true, but so often we get lost in our journey towards an encounter with truth.
It is Christ alone who brings truth into our life to its fullest degree. We must thus pursue a relationship with Christ and thus from this relationship must flow forth everything else.
In the Gospel of Saint John we are told that the Holy Spirit is known as an Advocate who will be with us always and that the Holy Spirit will be the Spirit of truth.
Thus we must be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our life for they move us towards this relationship with Christ. So often head into life's difficulties at a rush, but maybe we should take a step back and enter into the spirit of prayer before we make a hasty decision. Hastiness leads us away from this encounter with truth.
Let us not be hasty and fall into sin, but rather may we allow the Holy Spirit to set us free tnrough this encounter with truth. There are those who lose hope that God can be present in their life for they are a sinner, but we must always remember that God is merciful with us. From 1st Peter: "For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous." Therefore Christ suffered upon the cross in order that we may be set free to encounter Him.
Thus with prayer and discernment we will be led towards this encounter with Him. We will be lead towards an encounter with Jesus Christ from which everything else in our life must flow. If we are lacking this relationship we will be lacking in the priorities of our life because we are lacking life's foundation. With this relationship built upon Christ we will moderate all of our actions after Him. With Christ we will no longer be lost chasing after truth which never fills us, but rather will encounter truth itself for what it is.
The Holy Spirit is a spirit of truth and thus the Spirit will never lead us nor the Church into the error of falsehood. The Holy Spirit leads us towards an encounter with the truth of Christ and guards us against the falsehood of sin. Despite all of this we so often forget about the Holy Spirit and the fruits and gifts that are laid upon us.
How would our deliberations and ongoings be different if we were open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and thus be open to these promptings to come into an encounter with truth?
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth.
Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit
help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
