Sermon Tone Analysis

Title

Testifying to the Truth

Outline

Truth is in short supply these days

People will believe and act upon the fantastic if it happens to fit their own predilections

We have more news and information than ever and we have more need to check the accuracy of that news than ever

It is not that there was no yellow journalism in the previous century or propaganda later in that century, but that now there is more to check and more true believers who get angry if one suggests their belief may not be true

And people often think it presumptuous for the Catholic Church - or any other - to claim that there is a truth much more that it actually has the fulness of truth.

In our readings we see the value of a calm, non-anxious, and clear witness to the truth

Paul is has arrived in Rome, the goal of Luke’s narrative, but he has done so in chains

He calls the Jewish leaders before a counter argument could arrive from Judea.

He tells his story clearly and non-defensively, making it clear that the Romans had declared him not-guilty and that it was only because of necessity that he appealed to Caesar, "even though I had no accusation to make against my own nation.”

Paul is not anti-Jewish.

He does this apparently hoping to make them curious so that he could present the good news: “for it is on account of the hope of Israel that I wear these chains.”

Nor does he let continued imprisonment stop his evangelistic activity that had, in a sense, gotten him into jail in the first place: “He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Some think Luke ends the story here because he did not want to narrate Paul’s execution and undo his portrait of Romans as fair-minded, since most of the “all who came to him” were gentiles.

Our Gospel reminds us to embrace and live the truth that God has given us

Peter, who has been given an uncomfortable truth, wants to know about the Beloved Disciple: “No, says Jesus, you know the good and the true about your life.

You do not need to know nor can you act on his story.

You follow me.”

That is salutary wisdom for all of us.

But however salutary it may be, it started false rumors that filling in non-existing blanks in what Jesus had said.

We have seen that in church history as well.

What is important, the author (not necessarily the Beloved Disciple) tells us, is that the witness of the Beloved Disciple is true, even if it was necessarily selective.

And this truth is witnessed to by “we,” the Church, who knew the veracity of the Beloved Disciple and who probably included at least some who had witnessed the events.

Sisters, truth matters, but how it is presented matters too

Truth is supported by a life characterized by truth telling, so let us avoid all falsification in what we say and do.

We also should not go beyond the truth we have been given - I always ask myself before looking at an article, “Is that something I need to know about for my service to God, or is it another person’s story.”

We do not establish truth by damning falsehood, but by calmly presenting the truth.

We do not establish truth by condemning those who spread falsehood (I do not say “lies” for it is not a lie unless they know it to be false), but by laying out our reasons for believing the truth to be the truth

In the end it is up to the Spirit of God, who is Truth, to establish truth and to witness to the truth through us, but that is the truth of Pentecost and thus for tomorrow morning.

Readings

FIRST READING

Acts 28:16–20, 30–31

16 When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

17 Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews.

When they had gathered he said to them, “My brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or our ancestral customs, I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem.

18 After trying my case the Romans wanted to release me, because they found nothing against me deserving the death penalty.

19 But when the Jews objected, I was obliged to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no accusation to make against my own nation.

20 This is the reason, then, I have requested to see you and to speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel that I wear these chains.”

30 He remained for two full years in his lodgings.

He received all who came to him, 31 and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

RESPONSE

Psalm 11:7b

7 The LORD is just and loves just deeds;

the upright will see his face.

PSALM

Psalm 11:4–5, 7

4 The LORD is in his holy temple;

the LORD’s throne is in heaven.

God’s eyes keep careful watch;

they test the children of Adam.

5 The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked,

hates those who love violence,

7 The LORD is just and loves just deeds;

the upright will see his face.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

John 16:7, 13

7 But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go.

For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.

But if I go, I will send him to you.

13 But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.

He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming.

GOSPEL

John 21:20–25

20 Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come?

What concern is it of yours?

You follow me.”

23 So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die.

But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come?

[What concern is it of yours?]”

24 It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.

25 There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

Notes

SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2022 | EASTER

SATURDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER

YEARS 1 & 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

On the same date: Pentecost Vigil

First Reading Acts 28:16–20, 30–31

Response Psalm 11:7b

Psalm Psalm 11:4–5, 7

Gospel Acclamation John 16:7, 13

Gospel John 21:20–25

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