My hometown basketball team, the Boston Celtics, used to have a star player by the name of Paul Pierce. His nickname was “The Truth.” The people that gave him that nickname weren’t trying to be sacrilegious or blasphemous, only pointing out that he was the real deal of what it means to be a star in the NBA.
Whether in sports, our workplace, schools, neighborhoods, or homes, we seek to know what is real and what is true. In today’s first reading, we hear of a Roman commander who seeks justice by knowing the Truth.
He frees Paul and orders the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to convene. “Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before them.” Do you remember Paul saying the Holy Spirit warned him that imprisonments and hardships faced him? Well, now it’s happened.
What occurs next shows the importance of Paul’s understanding of who he was standing before. Aware that there were Pharisees within the Sanhedrin, he appeals to their sense of loyalty but saying, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees.” Any kid or adult whose ever been in a challenging situation knows to seek favor by identifying with those in charge.
Paul uses his lineage to bridge a gap and evangelize when he says, “I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead.” Another group, the Sadducees, goes wild because they don’t believe in resurrection, angels, or spirits.
But the Pharisees believe in all three. Which leads some of them to take Paul’s side and ask an important question: “Suppose a spirit or angel has spoken to him?” Things only get worse, so the commander orders his troops to rescue Paul by taking him into the compound.
Once away from danger, the Lord urges Paul on the following night by saying, “Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness in Rome.”
My brothers and sisters, God clearly worked through the commander’s desire to act justly by seeking the Truth with regard to Paul. There’s a lesson for all of us in this man’s virtue. His desire to be just, to do what is right and fair, superseded any desire to avoid hardship or a very stressful day.
We can also learn from Paul, as he was observant and clever in how he proceeded in a hostile situation; alone. Rather than give up or go into his defense like a bulldozer, Paul recognizes that some might be willing to listen to him because of his heritage and their beliefs.
Our Creator, God, knows the human condition, including our affinities for the familiar and like-minded. He chose Paul to evangelize people whom many would relate to, either of his background or knowledge.
Likewise, God has chosen us to play a role in spreading the Good News of Jesus. And, we’re not limited to speaking with people who are from our same ethnic groups, homelands, or age, etc. For example, my experience in visiting the Philippines was that I felt at home while visiting families who cared about their faith, like the family I grew up in thousands of miles away.
May we seek the truth today in our homes, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods—the truth about ourselves, our families, friends and neighbors, and God. Through first, listening to Jesus, who is the Truth, we are led to discover it right here, right now, and eternally.
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