Our words do not change reality, but they do shape it.

   Words are used today like they can change reality.  But I cannot be what I am not just because I say so.  If I say that I am a liar, how could you know if it is true?  If I say that I am always truthful, how could you be sure?  The Devil lies and in deceptive ways.  “You certainly will not die! God knows well that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, who know good and evil.” [Genesis 3:4-5]  We believe his lies too often, but they do not become true.  Adam and Eve did die when otherwise they would not have as God had said, the Truth.

   Reality was shaped by the Devil’s words, but much more so by our actions from his words.  Our perfect relationship with God was terribly damaged.  We have lost the perfection we had and because of it, we are weaker to other temptations.  The Devil’s words did not become reality no more than a madman can make his words a reality.  And yet, we live in a mad word.

   People say, “you have your truth and I have mine.”  That works for opinions, but not for truth.  Try giving them a $10 bill claiming that to you it is a $20 bill, so that makes it $20.  Suddenly, truth has a different meaning.  Truth is not relative.  While it is true that a single man on a date is vastly different than a married man on a date, but that does not undermine the universal truth that a man should “be joined to his wife” and not “commit adultery” [Matthew 19:5, 9].

   Following the Truth is not easy.  After all, Jesus tell us to “enter through the narrow gate”. [Matthew 7:13]  “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” [John 15:20]  While He did not say it would be easy, He did say it would be worth it.  “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” [Matthew 5:11-12]

   “The world offers you comfort. But you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.” – Pope Benedict XVI

  Jesus, help Your words to shape our lives so that we can say with St Paul, “I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me”. Amen.