Monday, April 21, 2014

What Good Are Lies?

About 6 months ago, Jay and I met one of his old MBA professors from FGCU for lunch. Conversation never lagged and time flew by quickly. He knew I was in the process of publishing my book (Can You Text Me Directions?) and we began to discuss the mission (Direction for Our Times) on which I have based my books. I don't remember how the flow of conversation shifted to "lying," but he told us of an experiment he challenged his students with one semester. First, he asked the class, "How many of you tell lies?" Hardly any hands went up. Then he assigned a project. They were to keep a journal for one week and write down every time they told a lie, big or small . . . anything that wasn't the truth. At the end of the week, the students were to bring in their journal. The conclusion of almost every student? They were shocked how many times they lied during the week! From little white lies such as "I'm not feeling well" when they didn't want to accept an invitation to go out somewhere . . . to lies about their whereabouts when asked. Just as the chief priests told the soldiers to lie about the Resurrection of Christ, we tend to deny the Truth of His Resurrection at times . . . is it out of fear that we deny Him? It's time to be bold and proclaim His Glory, lay apostles. 

In todays Gospel (Matthew 28: 8-15), the lies of the chief priests do no one any good:


Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed,
and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.


In Anne a lay apostle's book Whispers From the Cross, she asks us to remember not to fear the Truth:


"We must never reject the beautiful lessons God wishes to teach us. We should instead view everything as training and tuition and accept that only through learning today’s lesson will we be fit for tomorrow’s service. So expect persecutions. Expect lies to be told and distortions to erupt. Christ will never allow the enemy to overcome us! If we feel overcome, so be it. God is not overcome. God’s plan for Jesus was perfect and it included His Passion and death. What do we fear? Similar treatment? Think of our brothers, Saints Peter and Paul. They viewed such treatments as a privilege and so must we."


Lay apostles, take time to think about the little "white lies" we hear and tell on a daily basis. Next time the temptation arises, remember lies are not of Christ. 

Thank you, Lord, for guiding me to the Truth. Help me to remember not to fear!

God bless,
Bonnie

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