Being A Witness of Truth

He that cometh from above, is above all. He that is of the earth, of the earth he is, and of the earth he speaketh. He that cometh from heaven, is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth: and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony, hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God: for God doth not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loveth the Son: and he hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth in the Son, hath life everlasting; but he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 3:31-36 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we have so much to be thankful for in our lives. One of them is you most of all. Without you in our life we wouldn't be able to witness to the very many things you do for us. But one of the biggest beliefs is about you sending us your son. How in our daily lives Jesus touches each of us personally. Half of the time we are silent about how he touches us. I am reminded about the uniqueness of our Judicial system in this regard. If anyone has ever seen a trial in our Courts, or watched a mock one on TV would know that these courts are all about Truth to the highest degree of the Law. When swearing in they give a solemn oath to tell the truth, to give testimony and witness. Today's Gospel reading is telling us the same that if we are from above then we should be witnessing to this fact with truth and not keeping it hidden. Except we tend to hide who we are rather than live the truth that we are from Above.

I Believe

The Jews then took up stones to stone him. Jesus answered them: Many good works I have shewed you from my Father; for which of these works do you stone me? The Jews answered him: For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, maketh thyself God. Jesus answered them: Is it not written in your law: I said you are gods?
If he called them gods, to whom to word of God was spoken, and the scripture cannot be broken; do you say of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world: Thou blasphemest, because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though you will not believe me, believe the works: that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father. They sought therefore to take him; and he escaped out of their hands. And he went again beyond the Jordan, into that place where John was baptizing first; and there he abode. And many resorted to him, and they said: John indeed did no sign. But all things whatsoever John said of this man, were true. And many believed in him.
John 10:31-42 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father I know more than anything that you and Jesus have touched my life for a reason. But many in the world don't see you in theirs. Jesus tried many a time to give them proof that you and he are one. Not only that but of your sending him to bring love and mercy to them. To establish the truth of your existence. Without Jesus we would not have known your love in this beautiful way. The people had a hard time believing in Jesus back then but he perservered and continued to do your work in order that they may belief in the work that was done. We have some of the greatest testimonies of all time that have been passed down since. They have withstood over two thousand years and continue to draw people to you because of the works Jesus had done. He still continues to work for you even in our time. He draws us to him for you so they will believe. Now that is the greatest testimony Jesus has ever given to prove that you and he are one. I for one love you beyond all time because I believe.

Testimony

But before all these things, they will lay their hands upon you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and into prisons, dragging you before kings and governors, for my name's sake. And it shall happen unto you for a testimony. Lay it up therefore into your hearts, not to meditate before how you shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to resist and gainsay. And you shall be betrayed by your parents and brethren, and kinsmen and friends; and some of you they will put to death. And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake. But a hair of your head shall not perish. In your patience you shall possess your souls.
Luke 21:12-19 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer

Dear Father your chosen ones have suffered throughout the beginning of time and you have always been by their side giving them the courage and voice to give testimony of your love. You love all of us and we are all too often shy to say a simple word of praise in your name for fear of having ourselves thrown into jail or killed. In some countries dear Father they suffer because they cannot be free to do your will. You are with them as with us who are free to be open. We are blessed because we are able to testify to your great name. May I bear witness to your love each and everyday and praise you as you guide my lips to speak on behalf of your love. May many come to be more open to speaking generously of your love and let the Holy Spirit be their voice in times of peril. Amen

Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

The one who comes from above is above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him.
John 3:31-36

Dear Father we pray for all living beings that they may come to accept your sons testimony when he was as man on earth. We pray that the light of his resurrection will bring conversion of heart. We pray for those who disobey and are lost to God for they bring his wrath upon themselves. Let us pray that many will turn their hearts back to Jesus and heed his message of love and repentance. Amen

Saturday before Epiphany

Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar by not believing the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever possesses the Son has life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life.
1 John 5:10-12

Reflection:
We really do not have life if we do not believe Jesus is the Son of God. God gave us so much testimony to verify this, that when we do not believe him we do call him a liar.

That's like you telling someone something important and them not believing you. How does it feel to not be believed when we tell the truth. Think how God feels about now, when we don't believe Jesus is his son. How he has gone to great lengths through his prophets and witnesses to prove to us, that it is the truth. Why would he do that, he is God after all.

Yet we as human beings let so much darkness into our lives, that we forget how to truly trust in God. We doubt so much His love for us that we don't even try to possess the life that gives us life.
Believe me, you do not have life unless you have Jesus fully. I can say that I did not have life until I have fully let Jesus into my life to the point of doing His will and His Father's will. Life is so much sweeter and the hardships are truly not as bad as they once seemed. But life in Jesus is wonderful to have, you would not believe how magnificent it really is. God love you