FROM THE PULPIT: TIS THE SEASON TO TELL THE TRUTH

Probably the most familiar of Aesop's fables is the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf. The boy'who was shepherding the flocks for the townspeople sounded so many false alarms that when a wolf really did come and attack the flock, no one came to help, and the flocks were decimated by the ravenous beast. Another such "childrens' story" is The Emperor's New Clothes. In this one, a king hires two charlatans to produce the finest clothing. money could buy. The king provided all sorts of riches and fine materials with which,to make the clothes. The thieves (for that is what the clothing makers were) stashed the wealth for themselves and worked night and day with no thread or cloth in their machines. "These clothes are invisible to fools, but visible to those who are wise," they said. The day came for the king to wear his new clothes in a parade to celebrate the event. He marched proudly down the street wearing nothing at all, for that is what the "cloth merchants" had sewn him. But no one wanted toplay the fool, so everyone cheered. Everyone, that is, until a little child in the crowd tug on his daddy~s sleeve and asked, "Daddy, why is the emperor wearing no clothes?"

Both these stories illustrate the importance of being truthful. Truthfulness is not only a good "religious" duty, it is a wise way to live. It is also the foundation upon which most of our government is founded.

Many people are wringing their hands about the election, the results of which are still being decided-in the courts, of all places! Some are saying it's a constitutional crisis.0thers say it points out the need for election reform, or this or that. But what few people are saying is what the root problem is: a lack of truthfulness. Laws have been twisted, individuals have spokenout of both sides of their mouth, in fact,outright lies have been toldail in the name of democratic process, or voter's rights, or some other principle which is barely on anyone's minds. The only thing at stake fcr the Vice president is winning at all costs.

"You.shall not bear false witness against your neihbor" is the 9th commandment, which certainly has something to say about lying. Jesus said in Matthew 5,"Do not swear at all ... Simply let your 'yes' be yes and your 'no' be no; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."

It is easy to point fingers at others, but how honest are we? Are we careful to speak the truth, in love toward one another?

John the Baptist tells us, in the Church's Advent readings, to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. He further said that in order to do so, we must repent, and bear fruit of righteousness. This includes truthfulness in our speech and our relationships.

As we prepare for the coming of the Christ-child this Christmas, let us reflect the reason for His coming: to purify us from all sin. "Where words are many, sin is not absent." (Proverbs 10:19) Let us make room for Christ in our hearts. Let our words and deeds reflect truthfulness and honesty. After all, it is Jesus Himself who is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (John 14:6)