How vivid the First Reading is, in describing a setting so full of promise, possibilities and hope - the essence of our faith. And one of the gifts of our faith in God is truth. “Say to those whose hearts are frightened: be strong, fear not! Here is your God.”

 In looking up the word “truth” these were some of the descriptions used to describe the word “truth”: fact, reality, certainty, honesty, accuracy, true quality.  The Psalm tells us, “Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven”.

But how can we/do we know the truth about ourselves: our faith, our world, because without the truth, justice may never be experienced.  Maybe we reach and accept the “truth” of our lives by examining who we are, recognizing what we value, reflecting upon the choices we make. To confirm the truth of our lives we must pay attention to how we interact, treat and relate with others; to test or to confirm the “truth” of our lives.

The Gospel readings share what was happening in the life of Jesus, when He lived among us.  He performed amazing miracles and shared insightful parables used to give us “the truth” as to how we are to live our lives.  And how do we come to know the truth of the Gospel miracles and parables?  By taking into account the miracles in our own lives, paying attention to the faithful lives of others and by asking God, through daily prayers and reflection, for wisdom and guidance.  We, as faithful Christians, are called to strive to live truthful lives, for it is only through “truth” that we will be able to bring and to experience justice in our world.