Meagre Price

What is truth?

One adequate definition is the ‘alignment of the mind with reality.’

How far is the moon from the earth?

The closest approach (perigee) is around 360,000km. The further apart (apogee) is approximately 405,000km.

Factual, scientific, historical truths are adequate and important. But they are not perfective of us, since they are not personal truths and usually not moral truths.

When we embrace the truth about ourselves – both the good and the bad – we experience the truth transforming and perfecting us.

This is true of interpersonal knowledge too. Discovering the truth about other human beings and about God himself perfects our personal being.

When the truth is shared an acquaintance becomes a friend.

When a failure is admitted by one, forgiven by another, friendship deepens.

If we want to be truthful and sincere people, humility is required:

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 14).

The meagre price of humility opens the door to the experience of truth and thus love:

Be gentle in carrying out your business, and you will be better loved than a lavish giver (Ecclesiasticus 3).

There we have it.

Amen.