By Fr. Glenn Jones:
“What is truth?” – one of the most famous and philosophical lines of the Christian Gospels, uttered musingly by the Roman governor of Judea Pontius Pilate in his dialogue with Jesus prior to Jesus’ condemnation and crucifixion. (John 18:38)
We find that the answer to this poignant, and yet essential, question becoming ever more fleeting and elusive in our day. Daily is news about the rise of artificial intelligence (“AI”) and its ever-increasing ability to mimic authors, poets, artists, etc., until reproductions and “works” are almost indistinguishable from the original and the authentic. We see developed humanoid robots with skin, expressions, gestures becoming more perfect imitations of flesh-and-blood humanity. Meatless “meat” products grown in a lab. Unscrupulous media cherry-picking and emphasizing stories and themes to further their own agenda, or to stir up strife to maximize profits via clickbait. False stories of infinite conspiracies. Oh, and politicians! … don’t get me started!! Combine all of these and we can’t help but wonder: What is real and what are we simply fed in attempts at manipulation of the masses? What is true?
Media, of course, even from ancient times has been used for propaganda, particularly concerning the realm of politics. This, of course, is exacerbated in our day by social media with its often out of context presentations and claims, Photoshop-type editing, etc. Increasingly the traditional media seems to rely on social media for “news” and the day’s thing that has gone “viral”.
And, of course, AI dominates stories these day, many touting its possibilities and capabilities, though others ponder whether it not be like nuclear fission: having much potential, and yet if unrestrained, also the capacity for great destruction and even extinction. Already we see stories of how the programming of AI bias its “opinions”. Of course, science fiction writers have long predicted dangers of AI a la “Terminator”, “Matrix”, Star Trek’s Nomad, and myriad others. Were these just hysterically unfounded imaginations , or rather prescience? Was Orwell a prophet? It seems so; one need only read (truthfully?) of social credit systems in the world in which facial recognition software allows the government to immediately freeze assets of those not conforming to “the acceptable”, not to mention the persons subjected to even less restrained actions.
Yet, the one thing in the world which is undeniably true and immediately present is how we treat one another. Human compassion is true, as is tragic human hatred. We see bigotry and violence indiscriminately toward many who could not have possibly done harm to the perpetrators. But compassion also perhaps the greater truth—the sacrificing of one’s self to assist others in need; the policeman who stops violent crime, the fireman who dives into fire to save others, the nurse who tenderly cares for the troublesome dementia patient day after day. St. Thomas Aquinas writes that evil is really the absence of the good which should (we might add “could) be present.
Who among us has not been aided in our need by a friend or family member? If you reply “no”, then perhaps you need to examine how you treat others. Are you the grumpy old curmudgeon, the negative Nellie, arrogant, a user of people? To be loved, one must be love-able. But regardless, in the most perfect imitation of Jesus, there exists also those particularly blessed souls who will love even the unlovable. As Jesus Himself urges of unselfish charity: “… love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for HE is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish …” (Luke 6:35)
Of such persons we are reminded of that memorable poem attributed to Mother Teresa:
People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
One of the Gospels’ most famous parables is that of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25 in which Jesus adamantly states that charity and kindness demonstrated toward those in need—those who cannot or will not provide reciprocation—is in effect given to Him, leading to eternal reward; conversely, charity withheld from the needy is withheld from Him, with eternal (and terrible) consequence. When one considers the Christian belief that Jesus died for each and every person—past, present and future—the above makes sense; can we dare hate/ignore/despise anyone that God loved so much that He died for them?
Yes, our actions toward each other are perhaps the greatest manifestation of truth, and certainly bespeaks of the inner being of a person. Jesus declared Himself “… the way, the truth and the life”, and just before Pontius Pilate’s famous musing, Jesus had prayed to the Father for His apostles: “Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth … And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth.” (John 17:17-18) Christians believe that He is not only truth in His divine nature, but also in His compassion in dying on a cross for our redemption and ultimate salvation. We live truth in by emulating and imitating His own selfless giving.
So, do you feel in bondage to lies and propaganda. Perhaps, then, consider Jesus’ assurance: “If you continue in my word … you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31) For “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
“Faith, hope, love abide; these three. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Editor’s note: Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.