Even before Pontius Pilate snapped at Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:38) and to the present, mankind continues to search for truth. There are half-truths, “true lies”, fine prints, “make believes”, distortions and even fabrications; rich vocabulary for the opposite and very little for it.
Speaking of the Holy Spirit in this Sunday's – Day of Pentecost – Gospel Reading, Jesus said to his disciples, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16: 13).
Pentecost is the Greek name for the Jewish holiday, The Feast of Weeks (Lev. 23:15 -22) – Shavuot - which is also believed to be the day the Israelites received the Torah on Mount Sinai. Torah actually means “teaching” or “guidance” which is what comes from a loving and caring God.
As Jews observe Shavuot the entire biblical book of Ruth will be read. Why? Agriculture, the main source of livelihood for the Israelites, is a prominent motif in the story which shows God's desire for the community to care for the poor and the needy in its appropriation of the agricultural harvest.
This Sunday, therefore, Christians and Jews reflect on the received divine guidance for discernment of God's will in a society that is clouded with too many false truths and deliberate distortions. Cincinnati, for one, is witnessing unprecedented economic activity in the urban district: The Banks, Washington Park project, and the Casino development are all of economic vitality.
In the midst of all these good developments, the poor may be forgotten or even trampled upon. Thanks be to God, there is divine guidance, if only we would seek it.
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