In today’s Gospel, we listen to one of the most quoted verse: “the Truth will set you free.” Unfortunately, it has become extremely popular, that often, the sacred line is misquoted and acquired multiple meanings, and some even are far from the meaning Jesus intended. So, what did Jesus mean when He said that the truth will set us free? We will find the clue when we carefully listen to Jesus.

 Firstly, the Truth is coming to us when we accept Jesus in our lives and make His Word our dwelling place. In short, the truth is a result of being Jesus’ disciple. We recall that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). Therefore, if we want the truth, we cannot be away from Jesus. We need to listen to Him. We have to always follow Him. We are expected to imitate Him. The disciples of Jesus are the disciples of the truth.

Secondly, Jesus told us that the truth will free us from a specific condition. We are not freed from financial problems, from health issues, nor from life’s difficulties. It is freedom from sin. As anyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. No wonder one of the basic definitions of sin is our inordinate attachment to creatures, and forget that the truth, that we only attach ourselves to Jesus. We desire for wealth, sex, latest gadgets, expensive cars, popularity, and success, to the point that we forget God and others. That’s sin! From here, we discover that the logic is simple. If we want to be free from sin, we need to become Jesus’ disciples. We shall detach ourselves from sin and falsehood, and follow Jesus and truth. In fact, following the truth does not only free us from sin, that is falsehood, but we begin to internalize the truthful life.

As we are entering the solemn celebration of the Holy Week, we may reflect together. Have we lived in truth and made the Word as our home? Have we received the Eucharist and other sacraments in a regular basis? Do we read and study the Word of God diligently? Have we involved ourselves in fighting injustices around us? Have we made a firm resolution to turn away from sin and falsehood, and live in Jesus and truth?

Br. Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP