Truth on April Fool's Day

"If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,

and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

-John 8

It's April Fool's Day. Some folks will get punk'd by the pranksters in their lives. Some are harmless, some not so harmless. But how do we know if what we are experiencing is not a prank? How will we know the truth? Is it when someone announces, You were punk'd! or, You are on candid camera! So how do you know what is real, and what is not, if no one tells you which is which? And how do you know if the announcer of that truth is real?

"The truth will set you free." Pilate asked Jesus: What is Truth? Jesus just kept quiet. How will you answer that? What is truth?

John Keats said: Beauty is truth, truth beauty. That still doesn't answer it. Because, what is Beauty? It is easy to say, God is Truth, God is Beauty. Which brings us to, what is, who is God?

And if you believe your answer is the Truth, from what will it set you free? And for what will it set you free?

Lent helps us to search for and to be with the Holy One in our prayers, in our fasting to connect deeper with those in need and with God, and in our good deeds. Maybe, just maybe, Lent will create enough space within us to trust that our heart, with all hearts, are always overflowing with the unfathomable qualities of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. Lent could free us from the chains that could fool us for the rest of our life.

O send out your light and your truth;

   let them lead me;

let them bring me to your holy hill

   and to your dwelling. 

Then I will go to the altar of God,

   to God my exceeding joy;

and I will praise you with the harp,

   O God, my God. 

Amen.