Part 3, Chapter 30
Here in the north woods, people spend much time outdoors, one of the things they do is to fish. I hear stories about catching fish or not catching. It is interesting to hear how big the fish they caught was, or the one that got away. It seems that as time goes on the fish gets a little bigger. The fish tale gets to be fishy after a while and it really begins to stink. Rather the fish was really much smaller like the fish below.
We are called to tell the truth. That means we don’t tell fish tales, nor do we exaggerate the truth. “Make it your rule never knowingly to say what is not strictly true, either accusing or excusing, always remembering that God is the God of truth” (Introduction to the Devout Life, 135). It is like being in a trial, “we promise to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.” Why? Because otherwise we are painting a picture that is built on lies and sooner or later it will tumble down. Many times we do these things because we are not strong enough to stand up for the truth or we want to look good for others. “Falsehood, deceit and duplicity are sure signs of a mean, weak mind” (Introduction to the Devout Life, 136). To tell the truth in all circumstances is what we are called too! “Assuredly straightforward honesty and sincerity in speech is a great beauty in the Christian life” (Introduction to the Devout Life, 136). Isn’t this what we want to hear, none of us likes being lied to and none of us likes being caught in a lie. So the adage is true: “honesty is the best policy.”
When we know that we are going to be in situations where we struggle to be honest, or that we bend the true, or tell little white lies, we need to ask God for courage to be stouthearted and truthful in all that we do. Too often we are about the opinion of others rather than the most important Being in our lives who tells us to live out the 8th Commandment, not only strictly but in the spirit of the law as well, where we tell people things that are true. For example, we don’t say something to flatter someone, nor do we say something to win points, rather we say it because it is the right thing to do! Being honest is what we should do and say, and this must be a part of those devout souls who desire to be saints.