WE ARE SURROUNDED BY A CROWD OF WITNESSES

A reflection from John 5, 31-47

         Jesus lives intensely the experience of being the beloved Son, committing himself fully to God's plan. He is the faithful witness par excellence. Not only his works testify this fact, but, and especially the Father. The synoptic gospels highlight two significant moments in which the Father declares his love and fondness for this Son, inviting us to listen to what he says: at the time of his baptism and transfiguration. Who follows the voice of the Son obeys the will of the Father. He is the truth of God to man and the truth of the human being to God. Who becomes his witness gives testimony of the truth and who is of the truth hears his voice.

         In this sense, John the Baptist is presented as a model for having committed all his forces so that the mystery of God revealed in Jesus Christ should be welcomed by the people. For this fact, he gave his life. Though Jesus does not depend on the testimony of a human being, he recognized his courage and commitment. In order that our testimony should be true as of John is vital that the experience of the Word becomes life in us. The more intense is this experience the most effective will be the witness. Already in the Old Covenant many people, sensitive to divine inspiration and attentive to reality, have become true witnesses of the Word. Thus was born the prophetic movement.

         The reason of all the renewing vigous of the prophets was in the fidelity to the Word of God, lived in a radical way. They were able of interpret the events, helping the people not to lose heart in the journey of adherence to plans of God and stand firm the hope in the future. Just as happened with the prophets, we must educate our sensitivity to capture, to internalize and witness the inspiration that comes from God. The realization in Christ of all that the prophets have spoken enabled a constant force on the testimony of martyrs and it extends to the present days with a multitude of witnesses who, in the name of faith and of the good of others, give their lives completely. Empowered by the Spirit of God, we too are called to be witnesses, leading our response to the last consequences.

Pe. Degaaxé

Revisão do inglês: Brother Cipriano