In 1932, eighty years ago, Aldous Huxley, in the futuristic novel Brave New World, wrote that falsification would be the decisive element of modernity[i]. In other words, truth would not matter, and what was true for one could be false for another. In a democracy, this must lead to the opinion of the majority and in other systems the pronouncements of a ruling person, party or junta holding the ethical standard. Pope Benedict calls this a dictatorship of relativism. When the search for truth abates or dies, the opinion of the majority or the ruler is called upon for the most important decisions of life. Thus we in Australia find ourselves in a society where the decision to euthanase the vulnerable, the very young or old, the sick and frail, is likely to be decided by a parliamentary vote rather than being enshrined as a human right. The Holy Father, who lived through Nazism, knows only too well the dangers that this relativism courts.
Jesus calls us to build our house on firm foundations, on the rock. Pope Benedict is passionate when he talks on this strength that we have as church. As Christians our calling is to discover and live the truth. This presupposes that there is a reality called truth, and that it is worth pursuing. The truth we seek is not something that moves. It is not relative, nor is it affected by how I feel at the time; it is not my opinion. Sometimes this truth is unpalatable and uncomfortable, it may be misunderstood or misrepresented, but it exists. There is truth, divinely placed, and we are called, urged and given to perseverance to continue on the path of uncovering this truth. I our egalitarian society we run the risk, in the cause of making things simple and easy, of reverting to the opinions of relativism.
Christianity is built on the rock of the search of Israel and the Church since Christ for truth. In this quest the church has employed the best philosophy, science and art available, and still does. Mistakes have been made, but the quest has always been clear. The foundations have been solid and have formed the basis of most human rights as we know them today. If we stand on the firm foundation of faith, built on the foundations of those who have gone before us, we will be able to withstand great challenges and threats as individuals and a society.
This will be in stark contradistinction to those whose moral system can change depending on one’s opinion on the day. The relativist house is built on opinion rather that the search for truth, and as such has no foundations. Thus the house is built on sand, and moves with the tide. This system can only end by crashing.
The search for truth is a lifetime project, and requires enormous amounts of wisdom, patience and understanding. Patience, because the search for truth is slow, requiring study and trust; Understanding, because we will disagree strongly with others on the way, and we need to remember that they too are on the same quest; Wisdom, because truth is to be found in the quiet places of our heart and world, away from the noisy demagogues.
We are offered what can be a blessing or a curse, depending on the decisions we make. As we stand at the cusp of the season of Lent, may we commit ourselves to the long road of integrity, faith and wisdom which leads us to truth.
Homily, 9th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, March 6, 2011.
[i] Benedict XVI Light of the World: A Conversation with Peter Seewald, (San Francisco: Ignatius, 2010), 50.
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