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Ignited By Truth Conference
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 14, 2009

We gather as God’s holy family to proclaim anew that we are instructed by Truth, inspired by Truth and ignited by Truth. We know that Truth is not an imposition or merely a set of documents and rules. Our Holy Father explained this reality so clearly during his reflection to young people at the seminary in New York last year. He said, “Ultimately, Truth is a person, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the One who sets us free, the One who never fails us and the One we can always trust.”

Throughout this conference, the Truth of the Gospel has been authentically proclaimed in the Word of God. The Truth of our Catholic faith has been taught by our gifted speakers. They have reminded us that genuine freedom is found in recognizing and celebrating God’s blessings in our midst each day; in faithful and consistent obedience to the Lord’s ways and commands; in the acceptance of His will; in living lives of integrity and chastity and in striving each day to do that which is good, holy and pure.

We are so blessed to participate in this conference and to be instructed and inspired by Truth. It is this Truth that ignites us to be authentic witnesses of the Lord Jesus. Such witness will demand that we go forth to our homes, workplaces, campuses, schools and communities, and demonstrate compassionately and lovingly in word and deed our beliefs that: (1) all life is sacred from the moment of conception to natural death; (2) that all persons, especially the weak, vulnerable, immigrant and the weakest in our midst, are to be treated with dignity and respect, and all forms of prejudice and hatred are to be eradicated; (3) that marriage is a sacred union of one man and one woman in a permanent bond; (4) that family life must be celebrated and protected; (5) that all persons, in every vocation (priesthood, religious life, married and single persons) are to have a genuine respect for the gift of sexuality and are to live chastely and purely; (6) that the name of the Lord our God and His teachings must be at the center of what we do in our legislative buildings, schools and wherever God situates us and (7) that all temporary escapes and substances that lead to addiction and destroy lives must be replaced by a true dependency on the One alone who offers true freedom, Jesus Christ.

It is difficult to believe that we have reached a point in our society that witnessing to these truths would be a significant challenge. But as you certainly know, living the truth often involves great sacrifice and even suffering. At times, it will mean ridicule and rejection. And this is all so very sad. So many people, many times through no fault of their own, have been deceived into thinking that happiness and freedom are found in doing what I want, when I want and in accumulating the riches and successes of this world. Thus, the mere mention of an Authority greater than ourselves; the mere mention of eternal truths and lasting values often creates a stern and even hostile reaction. Those who witness to the Truth can be, without exaggeration, like the lepers in today’s Gospel: set apart by the community, no longer recognized or wanted, completely dismissed. So where do we find the strength to persevere?

You know the answer and it is the reason you are here: It is the amazing grace given to us by the Lord our God. In the Gospel today, He demonstrated His healing power, the same power He offers to us in our times of weakness, temptation, despair and need. His healing is a demonstration of His abiding presence in our lives and of the infinite mercy and love which will always sustain us. And so we renew our promises tonight to draw ever closer to Him through daily and fervent prayer; in daily meditation; in and through Mary our Mother; and in the life, liturgy and Sacraments of the Church, most especially this Holy Eucharist, the source and summit of our lives.

In his reflection at the seminary in New York last year, the Holy Father presented the young people and all of us with this challenge: “Remember you are Christ’s disciples today. Shine His light to your city and beyond. Show the world the reason for the hope that resonates within you.”

We respond to these words if, with God’s grace, we remain a people who are always instructed by Truth, inspired by Truth and ignited by Truth, Jesus Christ, the One who sets us free, the One who never fails us and the One whom we can always trust, our Lord and God now and forever. Amen.