Lessons in discipleship

Here is the text of the homily I shared with one of the communities for which I am pastorally responsible this weekend.

To tell the truth

For the last couple of years or so, the office in Rome which is responsible for all the bishops throughout the world has been conducting an annual gathering for all the newly-appointed bishops.  Each year, usually in the month of September, all the bishops who have been newly named are invited to Rome for a week or so.  This is an opportunity for them to meet one another, to get to know the different offices in Rome and their respective responsibilities, and to put faces to the names of all those with whom they will have to collaborate.

Instructions have been given to newly-appointed bishops ever since the time of Jesus.  He instructed the disciples in the ways of leadership through service, and they in turn taught others.  In today’s second reading, we have an example of the instruction that Saint Paul gave to Timothy, one of those who was entrusted with the task of leadership.  Among other things mentioned in the letter to Timothy, Paul urges him to pray for the leaders of the land, that they may come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:1-8).

The truth of which Paul speaks is Jesus Christ himself, the author of truth.  In order for Timothy to call the leaders of his day to the knowledge of truth, he himself had to fist come to know Jesus.  This was the subject of Paul’s instructions, and of his subsequent letters.  Coming to know Jesus is the task of all disciples, even today.

During the three-day mission which took place this week at Saint Peter’s, Father Alex reminded those who were there that coming to the knowledge of the truth is the journey of faith that we are all on.  From the time of our baptism, we are on the way.  Guided by the word of God, and nourished by the Eucharist, we continue our discovery.  Each of the Sacraments is a source of nourishment and assistance for us.  This journey of discovery is never complete until the day that we see Jesus face to face.  In the meanwhile, there is always a part of us that faces the human temptation to deny the truth that is planted in our hearts, and to turn instead toward our own wants and desires.

Jesus and his disciples were well aware of the warnings issued by the prophet Amos in today’s first reading (Am 8:4-7).   Corruption and sneaky ways of profiting from dishonest means was a part of life, but if the disciples were truly to make a fresh start, if they were to come to know the truth, they had to be better than those who used such crooked means to gain their wealth.  Besides, the true riches of which Jesus speaks have little to do with earthly comfort, especially ill-gotten riches.

The story of the dishonest steward (Lk 16:1-13) is meant to remind all of us that the journey of discipleship is one of seeking truth, and truth is never found if we live our lives based on lies.  Honesty and sincerity are the building blocks of true integrity.  Having come to know Jesus, the source of truth, we too must strive every day to imitate him in truth, to be faithful to him and to be honest in our dealings with others.