truth-seekers
"With a sigh from the depths of His spirit He said..." —Mark 8:12
After Jesus had twice multiplied loaves and fish, had healed countless people of many different ailments, and had delivered many from demons, the Pharisees wanted Jesus to give them a sign (Mk 8:11). The Pharisees were obviously not sincere. They were testing Jesus (Mk 8:11). Jesus refused to play their game. "He left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore" (Mk 8:13).
"The chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him and said: 'On what authority are You doing these things?' " (Mt 21:23) Jesus would have answered their question if they would have answered His. However, they were more concerned with public relations than with truth (see Mt 21:25-26). As a result, Jesus refused to answer their question.
"Herod was extremely pleased to see Jesus. From the reports about Him he had wanted for a long time to see Him, and he was hoping to see Him work some miracle. He questioned Jesus at considerable length, but Jesus made no answer" (Lk 23:8-9).
Pontius Pilate knew that Jesus was a king (Jn 18:37), but he refused to testify to the truth. Pilate said: "Truth!" "What does that mean?" (Jn 18:38) Pilate "said to Jesus, 'Where do You come from?' Jesus would not give him any answer" (Jn 19:9).
Jesus is very merciful to those who seek the truth. Jesus has little to say to those who do not. Seek the truth. Seek Jesus.
Prayer: Father, may I make any sacrifice to be a "truth-seeker."
Promise: "If you do well, you can hold up your head; but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door: his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master." —Gn 4:7
Praise: Seeking truth, George read the writings of the Church fathers and so converted to the Catholic Church.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, The Truth Will Set You Free.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 2016
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