GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 16TH DECEMBER 2016
FRIDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT
1ST READING: Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8
PSALM: Psalm 67:2-3,5,7-8
GOSPEL: John 5:33-36
THEME: THE TESTIMONY
David Hume, a well known Scottish philosopher, is quoted as saying, “No testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle unless the testimony be of such kind that its falsehood would be more miraculous than the fact which it endeavours to establish.” In other words, for a testimony to be solid, that which it testifies must be glaringly evident.
John the Baptist gave a very powerful testimony about Jesus when he said, “I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God” (Jn. 1:32-34).
In our Gospel text for today, Jesus makes reference to the testimony of John but quickly adds, “The testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has granted me to accomplish, these very works which I am doing, bear me witness that the Father has sent me” (Jn. 5:36).
The miraculous works of the one that John testified about was so tangibly evident that it would have been ridiculous to deny it. Jesus brought about renewal and transformation into the lives of many. He fed the hungry, gave sight to the blind and made the lame to walk.
There are a lot of testimonies about Jesus within the Christian community. Sermons, homilies and theological reflections are all testimonies but they are of no value if they do not corroborate an existing reality. A beautiful theological discourse about Christ is meaningless if it does not save a soul.
We have heard many testimonies about Jesus. Advent is a time to experience him for ourselves.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I do not want any more theories about you. I long to experience you for myself.
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).