Jesus says “I am the truth, the way and the life.” He doesn’t say “I am the truth . . . only in religion.” He says “I am the truth” period. Sometimes, I think we want to put God in a box, but God is the Truth in all things. We can find Truth through nature, science, the arts, and religion.
First, we encounter Truth through nature. Nature is pregnant with symbolism. Everything in nature mirrors the Mind of God. When you hear a lion roar, you hear God’s strength. When you see a deer bound through fields of gold, you see God’s elegance. When you see a thundering waterfall made up of tiny spheres of water, you see God’s grace, both gentle and powerful. We encounter Truth through nature.
Second, we encounter Truth through science. I can remember flying in a plane for the first time and thinking this is amazing! Someone knew how to create this plane! When I was up in the plane looking down, I was amazed at how ordered everything appeared. Cars looked like tiny ants marching in straight lines, lots of land seemed compartmentalized. There is an order to the universe. There’s a right way to build a bridge and a wrong way. A civil engineer must observe the laws of science when constructing a bridge or it won’t stand. In Math, there is a right answer and a wrong answer. We encounter Truth through science.
Third, we encounter truth through the arts. Sure, one might say truth is relative and sometimes it is. If I say, “I like orange” and someone else says, “blue.” Neither is better. It’s just preference. Still, there is objective beauty too. Shakespeare is a great writer. Even though some may not be drawn to his writing, pretty much everyone would agree that he is gifted. The Beatles are a talented rock band. Some may not be drawn to their style of music but anyone would admit they have talent. I’ve seen some movies that have transformed me, inspired me to see life through new eyes. A good message can be empowering. We encounter Truth through the arts.
Finally, we encounter Truth through religion. We believe on faith in the Trinity, Jesus Human and Divine Nature, the Real Presence and other Dogmas. These beliefs were historically challenged, yet as Christians, we believe the Holy Spirit has revealed them through the Church. Truth in religion can be a blueprint, a guide for how to live life to the fullest, just like a civil engineer needs the laws of science to construct a bridge.
In conclusion, let us seek to encounter God all around us, through Truth. I believe we long for Truth not just in a moral sense. Even in math, if you can’t figure out a story problem, it drives you nuts! You long to know the answer. We are called to search for Truth. God is Truth. Jesus is Truth. The Truth will set us free.