Are you tired of hearing the words “fake news?” They seem to be bandied about constantly —sometimes as a disguise for what is true, sometimes as a legitimate claim. Whatever the case, we live in times when one’s individual discernment of what is true and what is not is of utmost importance. In the course of human history, has there ever been a time when lies, spin and falsehoods have not pervaded human discourse, especially political speech? Christ Jesus had some things to say on the subject.

In speaking to some of his followers two millennia ago, he told them “. . . ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32. What a promise! But how do we make this so, and what is truth?

Jesus gave us some clues. Prior to making this promise, he told his listeners “If ye continue in my word ...”, and then he continued with the statement above. So, by earnestly and humbly following Jesus’ teachings (“word”), we can discern the truth. The word “humbly” here is crucial. It is only with humility that we can accept the truth. How many times in your life has the truth been hurtful, against your own interests or just inconvenient? Under those circumstances have you ignored it, twisted it or buried it altogether? That seems to be a common fallback in human nature and we see it played out every day. It can be quite frustrating and down-right depressing to witness, at least in the short run. This is especially so where truth is equated with human opinion, where everyone seems to have a different perspective. Taking the long view, however, one sees that truth cannot be forever hidden or diluted. It finds its way into the light—eventually.

At the end of his life, Jesus told Pilate “... for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.” Pilate then asked him, “What is truth?” Had it been a serious question, Jesus might have answered him, but Pilate left the room after asking it. In the end, Jesus’ resurrection spoke much louder than any words. That was truth in action—not fake news.

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Charles Wellington is a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts, and regularly meditates with the Great Plains Zen Center in Monroe.