Truth and Freedom Flow From Faith

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

WE need to be clear about the relation among truth, freedom and faith. Unless we know this relation and live by it, we cannot really keep the dignity that is meant for us. That is why Christ lamented over the unbelief of the people of his time because in spite of what he has taught and shown them, they continued to ask for signs. (cfr. Lk 11,29-32)

“This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” These words of Christ tell us about the need to develop a strong faith and our need for constant conversion in life. Only then can we be in the truth and enjoy the real freedom meant for us. In other words, truth and freedom can only flow from faith.

We therefore should see to it that our faith should not remain only in the theoretical, intellectual level. It has to be a functioning one, giving shape and direction to our thoughts and intentions, our words and deeds. In fact, it should shape our whole life.

The ideal is that we feel it immediately. Indeed, it should be like an instinct such that whatever we think, say or do, or whenever we have to react to something, it is our faith that should guide us.

We have to understand that it is our faith that gives us the global picture of things, since it is God’s gift to us, a gratuitous sharing of what God knows about himself and about the whole of creation. It is meant for our own good, for us to live out our true dignity as children of God.

If we would just depend on our own estimation of things, relying solely on our human powers and human ways, we may happen to get some traces of truth and freedom, but it would not be the whole truth and the real freedom we would be having. We most likely would even be deluded in a most subtle way.

To avoid this condition and to be guided always by our faith that gives us the truth and freedom, we really need to have a living contact with Christ who is the fullness of God’s revelation to us. He is the substance, the content and the spirit of our faith. So, the first thing that we have to do is to look for him always in whatever thing we are thinking, saying or doing.

We need to check our attitudes and dispositions. Do we really look for him, in the manner spelled out by Christ himself, that is, with constancy, determination and persistence despite the difficulties? Christ assured us: “Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (Mt 7,7)

What obviously would help is the habit of reading and meditating on the gospel, at least for a few minutes everyday. In that way, we get to know Christ better, and to familiarize ourselves with his words, deeds and reactions to the different situations he encountered. Let’s remember that since he is “the way, the truth and the life,” everything in him will always be a guide to us.

We have to realize more deeply that Christ and each of us are supposed to be one. Our radical identity is actually that of Christ, before we assume other qualifications and descriptions of our identity. And as such, our mission and purpose of life cannot be any other than that of Christ. That’s when we truly be in the truth that would make us free.

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com