‘Whatever is true’ Is 5:1-7; Ps 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20; Phil 4:6-9; Mt 21:33-43 St. Paul’s words in today’s second reading hold special significance for me since I am an alumnus of Northwestern University. The university’s motto, adopted in 1890, is “Quaecumque sunt vera” (“Whatever is true”). It is a Latin rendition of the phrase in Phil 4:8. That verse begins the apostle’s attempt to redirect the attention of the Christian community at Philippi away from the lies and falsehoods that some Christian teachers have been peddling to his gullible gentile converts. Paul denounced these teachers and their falsehoods earlier in the letter (3:2-21). In his anger, the apostle calls these teachers “dogs” — a most grave insult that even Jesus used once (Mt 15:26). The lie that Paul’s opponents were propagating undercut the apostle’s teaching about the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Paul taught that believing that Jesus died and was raised by God leads to justification and peace with God (Rom 5:2). The false teachers, however, claimed that Christians could only be saved through the observance of certain religious practices. For Paul, such a view was tantamount to denying the power of the cross. To advance their positions, the false teachers also attacked Paul personally, asserting that he was not an authentic apostle. More than once, Paul called attention to the lies that his opponents were teaching as truth. In today’s reading, Paul avoids polemics and tries to move the Christians of Philippi above the fray. He advises them to direct their attention away from lies and falsehoods to higher things: What is true, honorable, gracious and just? The apostle believes that moving beyond polemics, name-calling and lies is the best way for the Christians of Philippi to embrace the Gospel as they received it from him. This refocusing will free them from arguments and lead them to the peace of God that is beyond all understanding. Today, public discourse in society, and even in the church, has been marred by lies, cover-ups, name-calling, half-truths and propaganda. It has become the new normal to the extent that some people accept lies, tolerate falsehoods and do not object to cover-ups. In fact, they regard these as the price that must be paid to achieve the good of society and to avoid scandal. The apostle reminds the Philippians that the truth is always to be preferred to lies. Paul’s advice is relevant today: “Whatever is true … think about these things.” The parable of the tenants in the vineyard offers another perspective on the state of public discourse today. Jesus points to the behavior of those tenants who stopped at nothing to acquire the vineyard for themselves. They did not hesitate to murder the owner’s emissaries and even his son in furtherance of their purpose to take over the vineyard. Both the church and society are beset by people who believe that achieving their goals is paramount, no matter what the cost. Having to resort to lies and cover-ups to avoid scandal or to ensure the outcome of an election is deemed by some to be acceptable and even necessary to achieve a “higher” purpose. Experience, however, tells us that in the end the truth will out. Any goal or purpose that depends on lies will eventually fail. Jesus was convicted based on perjured testimony. Paul had accusers both inside and outside the Christian community. Still, the Good News they announced has been proclaimed to the ends of the earth and has been embraced by people of every tongue and nation. The victims of clergy abuse are being heard and many are healing even after unimaginable suffering. Slavery did not benefit the enslaved. Racism is built on a foundation of falsehoods, but an African American has served as the president of the United States. Lies, falsehoods and cover-ups will eventually be revealed for what they are. Last summer’s hazing scandal at Northwestern has undermined the reputation of the university whose administration failed to live up to its motto: “Quaecumque sunt vera.” Also, lies and cover-ups have eroded the credibility of the church’s leadership. Lies and falsehoods never work in the end. Following Paul’s advice to the Philippians will help reverse the damage that lies inevitably cause: “whatever is true ... think about these things.”
About the Author Father Leslie Hoppe, OFM, is professor emeritus of Old Testament Studies at Catholic Theological Union, 5416 S. Cornell Ave., Chicago.