Time for Truth

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be open to a radical change in our way of living that will be a more truthful testimony to our faith, hope and love.

Open to Change

In the Reading from the First Book of Kings, Elijah experiences a theophany and receives a commission.; 

* [19:1–21] The story of Elijah’s journey to Mount Horeb begins as a flight from danger, but takes a surprising turn. The prophet makes his solitary way to the mountain where the Lord had appeared to Moses and the Israelites (“Horeb” is an alternate name for “Sinai”). Like Moses on the holy mountain, Elijah experiences a theophany and receives a commission.

* [19:19–21] Elijah’s act of throwing his mantle over the shoulders of Elisha associates him with Elijah as a servant (v. 21). Elisha will later succeed to Elijah’s position and prophetic power (2 Kgs 2:1–15). Elisha’s prompt response, destroying his plow and oxen, signifies a radical change from his former manner of living. (1 Kings CHAPTER 19 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 16 reflects on the wise and life-giving presence of God .

* [Psalm 16] In the first section, the psalmist rejects the futile worship of false gods (Ps 16:2–5), preferring Israel’s God (Ps 16:1), the giver of the land (Ps 16:6). The second section reflects on the wise and life-giving presence of God (Ps 16:7–11). (Psalms, PSALM 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew presents the Teaching About Oaths.

* [5:33] This is not an exact quotation of any Old Testament text, but see Ex 20:7; Dt 5:11; Lv 19:12. The purpose of an oath was to guarantee truthfulness by one’s calling on God as witness.

* [5:34–36] The use of these oath formularies that avoid the divine name is in fact equivalent to swearing by it, for all the things sworn by are related to God.

* [5:37] Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No’: literally, “let your speech be ‘Yes, yes,’ ‘No, no.’” Some have understood this as a milder form of oath, permitted by Jesus. In view of Mt 5:34, “Do not swear at all,” that is unlikely. From the evil one: i.e., from the devil. Oath-taking presupposes a sinful weakness of the human race, namely, the tendency to lie. Jesus demands of his disciples a truthfulness that makes oaths unnecessary. (Matthew CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

David Crawford comments that common thread in these (and many other stories from Scripture) is of God interrupting someone who is busy – sometimes with a major life change, sometimes with an opportunity to serve or show love.

Many of us lead busy lives, with daily calendars filled with work responsibilities, family commitments, leisure activities, even church obligations. We resist anything that distracts us from what we have before us or that takes away from what we consider important. I am reminded that, as a child, I too often responded childishly when my mother or father asked me to do something. “I’m busy!” “Not now. I’m already doing something.” “Can’t someone else do it?” “Can it wait until my show is over?” Is our response equally childish when our Heavenly Father wants us to do something?

Our Heavenly Father will call us, in different ways, often at inopportune times. Listen for God’s voice. Heed the Spirit’s promptings to serve, to minister, to love. (Crawford, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes The Light of Truth, by Chromatius (died 406 AD)

"By the grace of gospel teaching, the law given by Moses acquired an advantage. The law prescribes that one must not swear falsely; but according to the gospel one must not swear at all. The Holy Spirit had seen fit to order this through Solomon when he said, 'Do not accustom your mouth to oaths' (Sirach 23:9). And again: 'Even as a well-chastised servant is not deterred from envy, whoever swears and does business will not be purged from sin' (Sirach 23:11). Therefore it is absolutely inappropriate for us to swear. What need is there for us to swear when we are not allowed to lie at all and our words must always be true and trustworthy, so much so that they may be taken as an oath? On this, the Lord not only forbids us to swear falsely but even to swear, lest we appear to tell the truth only when we swear and lest (while we should be truthful in our every word) we think it is all right to lie when we do not take an oath. For this is the purpose of an oath: Everyone who swears, swears to the fact what he is saying is true. Therefore the Lord does not want a gap between our oath and our ordinary speech. Even as there must be no faithlessness in an oath, in our words there must be no lie. For both false swearing and lying are punished with divine judgment, as the Scripture says: 'The mouth that lies kills the soul' (Wisdom 1:11). So whoever speaks the truth swears, for it is written: 'A faithful witness will not lie' (Proverbs 14:5). (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 24.2.2-4)

[Note: Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome describead him as a "most learned and most holy man."] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 5:33-37 comments that we won’t need to swear to the truth of everything we say or the reliability of every promise we make. People will trust us not because of our words but because of the integrity of our lives.

Words matter to Jesus. There was never a conflict between what he said and what he did because he was perfectly committed to living out the truths he professed. In a similar way, he wants our words to be a clear reflection of the state of our hearts. So guard your words. Pay attention to what comes out of your mouth today, and see how your words match your deeds and your intentions. And where you see a discrepancy, seek the help of the Lord. Tell him that you want to become as honest and trustworthy as he is!

“Jesus, help me to be honest in word and deed!” (Meditation on Matthew 5:33-37, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for today.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Cynthia Bourgeault who offers a blessing to students of The Divine Exchange.

If we could just get across the hump and shift to this new paradigm, this whole new way of thinking from the collective, out and around rather than from the individual up, it may just happen that we see the shift to a whole new cosmovision, a whole new level of consciousness, maybe even within our own lifetimes.

These teachings have the power to help renew a deeper relationship and more confidence in this man, Jesus, and to see Christianity, the religion he seeded, as alive, modern, relevant, and fully up to the task of carrying this beautiful flowing vision of exchange and oneness into the new cosmovision. Christ and Christianity were born for this moment. The ball is in our collective hands. Let’s run with it. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit of Truth to inform our relationship with God and our neighbours.

References

Crawford, D. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved June 13, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-june-13-2026 

Matthew CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved June 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5?33 

Meditation on Matthew 5:33-37. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved June 13, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/06/13/1591101/ 

1 Kings CHAPTER 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved June 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1kings/19?9 

Psalms, PSALM 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/16? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Embracing the Divine Exchange: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 13, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/embracing-the-divine-exchange-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Let What You Say Be Simply Yes or No. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 13, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Mystery Patience and Change

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Third Sunday of Advent, invite us to embrace the Mystery that Advent anticipates of Jesus' invitation to full life.

Patient in the Mystery

The Reading from the Prophet Isaiah proclaims Israel’s Deliverance.

* [35:1–10] This chapter contains a number of themes similar to those in Deutero-Isaiah (chaps. 40–55), for example, the blossoming of the wilderness (vv. 1–2; cf. 41:18–19), which is now well-irrigated (v. 7; cf. 43:19–20); sight to the blind (vv. 5–6; cf. 42:7, 16); a highway in the wilderness (v. 8; cf. 41:3); and the return of the redeemed/ransomed to Zion (vv. 9–10; cf. 51:11). Nevertheless, it forms a unit with chap. 34 (see note on 34:1–35:10) and reflects, along with that chapter, themes found in chaps. 1–33. (“Isaiah, CHAPTER 35 | USCCB,” n.d.)

Psalm 146 declares there is no other source of strength except the merciful God.

* [Psalm 146] A hymn of someone who has learned there is no other source of strength except the merciful God. Only God, not mortal human beings (Ps 146:3–4), can help vulnerable and oppressed people (Ps 146:5–9). The first of the five hymns that conclude the Psalter. (“Psalms, PSALM 146 | USCCB,” n.d.)

The reading from the Letter of James alerts us to awareness of Patience and Oaths.

* [5:7–11] Those oppressed by the unjust rich are reminded of the need for patience, both in bearing the sufferings of human life (Jas 5:9) and in their expectation of the coming of the Lord. It is then that they will receive their reward (Jas 5:7–8, 10–11; cf. Heb 10:25; 1 Jn 2:18).

* [5:7] The early and the late rains: an expression related to the agricultural season in ancient Palestine (see Dt 11:14; Jer 5:24; Jl 2:23). (“James, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB,” n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, messengers from the Baptist receive Jesus’ Testimony to John.*

* [11:2] In prison: see Mt 4:12; 14:1–12. The works of the Messiah: the deeds of Mt 8–9.

* [11:3] The question probably expresses a doubt of the Baptist that Jesus is the one who is to come (cf. Mal 3:1) because his mission has not been one of fiery judgment as John had expected (Mt 3:2).

* [11:5–6] Jesus’ response is taken from passages of Isaiah (Is 26:19; 29:18–19; 35:5–6; 61:1) that picture the time of salvation as marked by deeds such as those that Jesus is doing. The beatitude is a warning to the Baptist not to disbelieve because his expectations have not been met.

* [11:7–19] Jesus’ rebuke of John is counterbalanced by a reminder of the greatness of the Baptist’s function (Mt 11:7–15) that is followed by a complaint about those who have heeded neither John nor Jesus (Mt 11:16–19).

* [11:9–10] In common Jewish belief there had been no prophecy in Israel since the last of the Old Testament prophets, Malachi. The coming of a new prophet was eagerly awaited, and Jesus agrees that John was such. Yet he was more than a prophet, for he was the precursor of the one who would bring in the new and final age. The Old Testament quotation is a combination of Mal 3:1; Ex 23:20 with the significant change that the before me of Malachi becomes before you. The messenger now precedes not God, as in the original, but Jesus.

* [11:11] John’s preeminent greatness lies in his function of announcing the imminence of the kingdom (Mt 3:1). But to be in the kingdom is so great a privilege that the least who has it is greater than the Baptist. (“Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB,” n.d.)

Rev. Kent Beausoleil, SJ, comments that Jesus recognizes that the real prophetic statement to everyone is not a choice between “Change or die.” But the real prophetic message, the one our soul longs for the most, is: change, let me into the manger of your heart, and find ever more life.

Rejoice in new found hope as you let me heal and transform you.  So we live on in hope.  Hope that time is passing and every day we are closer to that second coming.  The hope found in living as Christians offering mutual care, support, and the fight for justice, in a world still in many ways dark and despairing.  Hope in Jesus whose love was not of dominance but humble healing, liberation, and new life. 

Ultimately, the hope of Christ is the reign of divine love that we, with God make real here and now, but also the real and wondrous and exciting truth of even greater love to come.  O patient, waiting, and expectant hearts, may we too be prophets, for can we not feel it, can we not as we continue our advent journey to Christ Mass (Christmas) light, see the unfolding of the already, the clear promise of a heaven yet to come. (Beausoleil, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “John fulfills Elijah's prophetic ministry,” by John Chrysostom, 547-407 A.D.

"Jesus knew the mind of John who sent them, for he knew, as God knows, our inner thoughts. There he was, actively healing the blind, lame, and many others. He healed not to teach John, who was already convinced, but those who had come to him doubting. Having healed them he said, 'Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.' And then he added pointedly, 'And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.' By saying this Jesus implied that he knew even his questioners' unuttered thoughts. For if he had said simply 'I am he' this would have fallen short of overcoming their unstated sense of being offended. And it would have given fuel to some Jews who were already saying to him, 'You bear record of yourself' (John 8:13). Hence he answered nothing directly concerning his identity but left them to learn of it from the miracles, freeing what he taught from suspicion and making it plainer. Then Jesus gently chided them for being silently offended in him. He made their case for them, leaving it to their own conscience alone to judge, calling no witness of his reprimand other than they themselves who knew what they had been thinking. For it was of their own inward offense that he was thinking when he said, 'Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.' In this way Christ drew them all the more closely to himself." (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 36.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 11:2-11 asks “How can we make our hearts ready for him to come, both at Christmas and at the end of time?

Whatever is burdening you, now is the time to cry out to the Lord for healing! He wants you to live in freedom, not under a cloud of grief or resentment or complacency. Remember John’s message: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). God’s grace is at hand for you—today!

“Lord, search my heart and set me free!” (“Meditation on Matthew 11:2-11,” 2025)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage from Isaiah today is from 740-685 BCE and speaks of the restoration of the land to the splendor of Carmen and Sharon. God will be the vindication of Israel, the go’el who takes your part when no one else will. God continues to love us in spite of our behaviour. The reading tells us the farmer has patience for the harvest. We too need patience for the end time and to be what Jesus calls us to be. The early rains and the later rains mentioned by James may be an indication of the letter being written in Israel rather than elsewhere and later. In Matthew’s Gospel, John the Baptist asks through his disciples if Jesus is the one. Jesus cites works of wonder and speaks about John the Baptist who the people wanted to see as a prophet and noting that anyone in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater. Friar Jude notes that “Kingdom of Heaven” is an indication that the author of a revision of Matthew was done by a converted Pharisee. We dwell in the Kingdom by living in the Love and Law of Jesus.

Fr. Mike Schmitz highlights a secret to holiness visible in Paul’s ability to see his arduous trip to Rome as the will of God. He also clears up confusion in regards to Paul’s direction for wives to be subject to their husbands, again drawing our attention to our call to love and serve while being subject to each other out of reverence for Christ. Today’s readings are Acts 27, Ephesians 4-6, and Proverbs 29:22-24.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, teaches that awe is a foundational spiritual experience that keeps us open to the mystery of God.

I think Russian writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn understood this when he wrote, “The Western system in its present state of spiritual exhaustion does not look attractive.” [2] It’s a telling judgment. The Western mind almost refuses to be in awe anymore. It’s only aware of what is wrong, and seemingly incapable of rejoicing in what is still good and true and beautiful. The surest way out of that trap is through a new imagination and new cosmology, often created by positive God-experience. Education, problem-solving, and rigid ideology are ultimately inadequate by themselves to create cosmic hope and meaning. Only great religion can do that, which is probably why Jesus spent so much of his ministry trying to reform religion. 

Healthy religion, which always makes space for Mystery, gives us a foundational sense of awe. It re-enchants an otherwise empty universe. It gives people a universal reverence toward all things. Only with such reverence do we find confidence and coherence. Only then does the world become a safe home. Then we can see the reflection of the divine image in the human, in the animal, in the entire natural world—which has now become inherently “supernatural.” [3] (Rohr, n.d.)

Fr. David Gierlach shares a sermon for the Third Sunday of Advent.

We trust the Spirit to fill our hearts with the hope that our faith and care for others will announce the joy and fullness of Life that Jesus shared with the disciples of the Baptist.

References

Beausoleil, K. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved December 14, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-14-2025 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 35 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 14, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/35?1 

James, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 14, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/5?7 

Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 14, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11?2 

Meditation on Matthew 11:2-11. (2025, December 14). Word Among Us. https://wau.org/meditations/2025/12/14/1445473/ 

Psalms, PSALM 146 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 14, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/146?6 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 14, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/are-we-open-to-awe/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). They Shall Obtain Joy and Gladness. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 14, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/