Seeing the Truth

This week’s cluster of terror attacks in Beirut, Baghdad, Kenya – as well as Paris – has led to a plethora of analysis and commentary. Amongst the blizzard of bigotry and prejudice was some insightful and compassionate thinking about faith traditions, fundamentalism and what our choices are. [e.g. google Waleed Aly, The Project and you’ll see what I mean]

It has been said that truth is the first casualty of war, and this ubiquitous “war on terror” seems destined to outlast us all.

This Sunday’s readings are the traditional readings for the last Sunday of the church year – “Christ the King” Sunday, which is the church’s way of drawing our year to a close, preparing for the beginning of Advent. This year’s Gospel, drawn from John’s recounting of the sentencing and death of Christ, has Pilate asking Jesus, as his death is imminent, “What is truth?”

This is asked by a Roman leader, in full occupation of Israel, whose nation and faith traditions are seeking to impose its will on Jesus’ world. Power asks apparent weakness about truth, and cannot bear the answer. Can we?

Some would argue that this current situation in our world is about truth – the truth of faith, of God, of our way of life. There are many people, some of whom have considerable power and some of whom have little, who would argue that the truth they hold is the purest form.

What might the truth of Christ say to each of us?

Does Jesus leave Pilate’s question unanswered because the answer is before him? This apparently powerless, about-to-be-crucified man epitomises the truth of God. When Pilate presents Jesus to the crowd, newly flogged and clothed in mockery and punishment, and says “Behold the man!”, is Pilate really saying “Behold the truth”?

The truth of a God, who offers everything for a broken world; the truth of a God who gives up life that we might find it. The truth of God whose power is found in sacrifice and is most stridently declared on the cross.

This truth opposes the obscene violence of the fundamentalist soldier waging war on innocents and everyone else. This truth also opposes the war machines of empire, from Rome and Persia to the United States and North Korea. We hear echoes of the truth when people refuse to bow to fear, when advocates stand up – and speak up – for those with no strength or voice, or justice.

When I, or any disciple, claims possession of the whole truth, the cross challenges me in my arrogance and self-indulgence. Christ the King is enthroned on a cross and offers forgiveness and life – even to those who would deny it to others. This is God’s truth, a word for everyone who wishes to receive it.

The hope and wonder of the resurrection stands entirely on the truth of the crucified Christ who stands in solidarity with all those who are victims.

Shall we ready ourselves for his birth?