Truth. Ali’theia. Verdad. Chshmartit’un. Jinsil. Egiatasun. Truth.
A rose by any other name, William Shakespeare once said, would smell as sweet. The question that seems to confront us today--especially in this election season--is, however, have we lost our taste for the fragrance of truth.
At last count, there were 127 police officers killed in the line of duty in 2015, and 25 this year already. Over a hundred and fifty men and women (husbands and wives, sons and daughters, brothers and sister) died, putting their lives on the line to serve their chosen communities. Each of those lives lost left vacancies that will never be filled. Children who will never see their father’s again. Wives who will never have that last embrace, and mothers who will never again welcome home that favored "son".
This is not a cry that would say every cop is perfect, or that cops never makes mistakes…never had a break in judgment; or even just plain messed up. What it is, is a reminder that there is ONE, even Christ, before whom every life matters. Every Black life. Every White Life. Every Brown Life. Every Native Life. Every life matters. This is not only my truth, is the Truth.
Referring back to Shakespeare, he said, “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.” Just for a moment consider it to be true and ask yourself what part are you playing? Are you the protagonist that plots along the narrative like Luke Skywalker bringing peace and balance to an otherwise capsized universe. Or are you the antagonist, a Darth Vader or an Emperor imposing your will on all around, forcing them into your version of realty?
Or perhaps you take comfort in just being a role player one of many hidden-faced storm troopers just carrying out orders never once stopping to ask the question, “What is truth?”
As long as we, the masses are willing simply to follow, then we will have the political leaders, the law enforcement, and the criminal element we deserve. Of course, the opposite holds true as well. And even at that, it is not enough to just get involved…to just do something. It is ultimately important that we do the right thing. While standing before Jesus, Pilate asked a question that Jesus never answered. He asked Jesus, "What is truth?" I often wondered what might have happened if Jesus had disclosed….I wonder what would happen in your life if He answered it for you.
