Homily for Good Friday March 30, 2018
Fr. Albert St. Peter’s, New Iberia
“What is Truth?” Pilate asks Jesus this question and our Lord says nothing in return. But he does give him an answer, just not with words. Yesterday at the Last Supper, we reflected on the meaning of words in general and one word in particular, love. We saw that Jesus’ new commandment, “love one another as I have loved you,” is a deadly, but truly beautiful command.
Today however, we will not go very far with words. Love, and its necessary counterpart, Truth, are concepts that cannot remain at the level of abstract thought. In fact, just yesterday Pope Francis warned us about making idols out of abstract truth. More than mere equations and formulas, Truth is something lived in fidelity and in relationship.
Which is why Jesus says nothing to Pilate – and by extension the rest of the world – when he is asked “What is Truth?” No, his answer is seen in what happens next… in the dramatic and poignant journey to the Cross. So, today I do not propose to offer eloquent explanations of the Truth. As Catholics, we believe that the sacred Liturgy actually makes present the Paschal Mystery, the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Instead of words, I propose that you let the rich symbols and actions of this liturgy express truth not in abstract words, but in mystery. Our hymns and chants, the solemn veneration of the Cross, the odd silences, and finally the reception of the Most Holy Sacrament itself…
So, “what is Truth?” Watch, pray, and participate and you will know the answer, not in words but in mystery, in fidelity, and in relationship to both God and His Holy Church.