The pursuit of truth in contentious issues

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

WITH all the rapid developments we are having these days, giving rise to a number of contentious issues, we need to find a way of how to pursue the truth that should always go with charity. It’s a tall order that we should just try our best to tackle.

Definitely, we have to start by being clear about what truth is and where it is to be found. In this regard, we have to be familiar with the Spirit of Truth who will show us the whole truth and not just some aspects of it. We need to get in touch with this Spirit of truth if we really want to be in the truth that always goes with charity and not confused and lost in the many false appearances of truth.

Christ himself said: “When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own. He will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (Jn 16,13)

We have to take note that this business of getting to the whole truth involves a process. It’s not a one-shot deal. It involves some kind of journey. No one can ever say he has the whole truth until he reaches where the Spirit of truth would finally lead him.

We have to remember that everything that exists has something of the truth, since by merely existing, that something is already true. But as to whether it has the whole truth, it would depend whether it has the Spirit of truth or not.

The most important thing is to see if something that we consider to be true is in conformity with the Spirit of truth. Otherwise, we will be deceived and trapped by the many appearances of truth that do not bring us to the real thing which, in the end, can only be God.

For this, we have to see to it that in resolving the tremendous amount of differences and conflicts that today’s hot-button issues give rise to, we have to learn the art of how to blend the need for tolerance and understanding, on the one hand, and intransigence and fidelity to the truth on the other hand.

We need to go through the process of dialogue, pursuing the discussion in a gradual way, always respecting the persons involved in all the differences and conflicts that have to be resolved.

We should try our best to avoid getting too hardened in our views and opinions, too quick in making judgments and in finding fault in the views of others, and too strident in voicing our points. These would only lead us nowhere but to undesirable destructive effects and worse consequences.

Let’s learn the art of gradualness so we can better blend the requirements of truth and charity, justice and mercy, orthodoxy and tolerance. It enables us to better deal with the realities of life where good and evil co-exist, where what is right and what is wrong will always be around.

It helps us to treat each other as persons, as friends, brethren, children of God even if we have different and even opposing positions. It would make us to be more accepting and respectful of everyone irrespective of who and how they are.

When we have to express our views, let us do it, of course, with clarity and even with some forcefulness but always in charity, in an amenable, meek and humble tone. We have to have a good grip on our emotions and passions. Anger should be avoided.