Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 5, 31-47
‘If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent.
‘You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings. But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?’
Our testimony liberates us
1) Testimony. This refers to expressing what we have experienced. Jesus testifies to the supernatural. The apostles testify to the experience lived with Jesus. The saints testify to that intimate encounter with God. What do you bear testimony to?
2) The Word remains. Our Catholic faith does not have an expiration date. On the contrary, you always belong to Christ and you have to remember that we are not Christians who play a part like actors, showing our Catholic badge when the spotlight is turned on. We are Christians 24 hours a day, every day, wherever we are. We are Christians when we pray the rosary and when we go out with friends, when we go to Mass and when we play a soccer game. This does not mean we should be either stiff or fanatical, we are asked to be ‘normal’ Christians who lead a normal simple life.
3) Believe. Your life can change dramatically with a little faith. Life is hard and difficult, but faith makes it easier and gives you strength. Do not be afraid to strengthen your faith, do not be afraid to believe. Please believe in God, because believing gives you life.
God bless you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And remember, Heaven is our goal.
