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.
Showing posts with label witness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label witness. Show all posts
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Be a Witness
And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread. Now whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them, and saith to them: Peace be to you; it is I, fear not.
But they being troubled and frightened, supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle, and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me to have. And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and feet. But while they yet believed not, and wondered for joy, he said: Have you any thing to eat?
And they offered him a piece of a broiled fish, and a honeycomb. And when he had eaten before them, taking the remains, he gave to them. And he said to them: These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. And he said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead, the third day: And that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, unto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
And you are witnesses of these things.
Luke 24:35-48 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
Prayer Reflection
Dear Father we are often so very busy in our lives that we fail to see your hand in it. Like the two men who journeyed on the road to Emmaus were so preoccupied they didn't even realize it was the risen Jesus with them. Today it seems that we are told to be witnesses of Jesus and that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name.
These men were the first witnesses to the life, death and resurrection of your son Jesus. They have passed down to all generations the facts of this. We in our life encounter Jesus in various ways, but are often silent, afraid that people would think us fools. The disciples and the two from Emmaus were not thought of that way, Jesus showed up to prove their testimony. Whether we go through personal encounters of our Lord to something grand, we should be first of all witnesses of his grace and preach penance and reconciliation, because he came to save the lost.
But they being troubled and frightened, supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle, and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me to have. And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and feet. But while they yet believed not, and wondered for joy, he said: Have you any thing to eat?
And they offered him a piece of a broiled fish, and a honeycomb. And when he had eaten before them, taking the remains, he gave to them. And he said to them: These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. And he said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead, the third day: And that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, unto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
And you are witnesses of these things.
Luke 24:35-48 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
Prayer Reflection
Dear Father we are often so very busy in our lives that we fail to see your hand in it. Like the two men who journeyed on the road to Emmaus were so preoccupied they didn't even realize it was the risen Jesus with them. Today it seems that we are told to be witnesses of Jesus and that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name.
These men were the first witnesses to the life, death and resurrection of your son Jesus. They have passed down to all generations the facts of this. We in our life encounter Jesus in various ways, but are often silent, afraid that people would think us fools. The disciples and the two from Emmaus were not thought of that way, Jesus showed up to prove their testimony. Whether we go through personal encounters of our Lord to something grand, we should be first of all witnesses of his grace and preach penance and reconciliation, because he came to save the lost.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Bearing Witness
And it came to pass, as he was going to Jerusalem, he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain town, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off; And lifted up their voice, saying: Jesus, master, have mercy on us. Whom when he saw, he said: Go, shew yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, as they went, they were made clean. And one of them, when he saw that he was made clean, went back, with a loud voice glorifying God. And he fell on his face before his feet, giving thanks: and this was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering, said, Were not ten made clean? and where are the nine? There is no one found to return and give glory to God, but this stranger. And he said to him: Arise, go thy way; for thy faith hath made thee whole.
Luke 17:11-19 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
Prayer
Dear Father your mercy is great. For I can attest to your forgiveness in my life. I bear witness to your saving grace. I am unashamed to proclaim my love for you. I stand before others and give them my testimony of your healing touch upon my soul. Who hasn't been touched by you heavenly Father and not gone and revealed your love to others. It would be a shame to hide the truth of healing, even for me were I to hide the fact that you personally came to me I would them be saying I was ashamed of you. I love you and I declare it to all the world, the faith you entrusted to my heart, the healing you brought to my soul. You gave me sight, you gave me hearing and I in my small way can do no less by proclaiming the greatness of your love for me. You made me whole, you filled me with your presence and oh how that love is, it is the delight of my heart. May many come to know your love this day and come to proclaim their faith in you without shame. Amen
Luke 17:11-19 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
Prayer
Dear Father your mercy is great. For I can attest to your forgiveness in my life. I bear witness to your saving grace. I am unashamed to proclaim my love for you. I stand before others and give them my testimony of your healing touch upon my soul. Who hasn't been touched by you heavenly Father and not gone and revealed your love to others. It would be a shame to hide the truth of healing, even for me were I to hide the fact that you personally came to me I would them be saying I was ashamed of you. I love you and I declare it to all the world, the faith you entrusted to my heart, the healing you brought to my soul. You gave me sight, you gave me hearing and I in my small way can do no less by proclaiming the greatness of your love for me. You made me whole, you filled me with your presence and oh how that love is, it is the delight of my heart. May many come to know your love this day and come to proclaim their faith in you without shame. Amen
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
On that journey as I drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from the sky suddenly shone around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' I replied, 'Who are you, sir?' And he said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazorean whom you are persecuting.'
Acts 22:6-8
Reflection:
The witnessing of Paul has given us a testimony of Jesus' love. Saul in his on way was bent on persecuting Christians. In a sense he is worst than us in that regard. But in his zeal to destroy the kingdom on God. God forgave him, and chose him to bring the Good News to all the people.
How come Saul and not someone else? Maybe it was in the way Saul had zeal to destroy, and God in his mercy used that to convert Saul to do his will so that zeal will be used for God' kingdom. We do not know the mind of God and why he chooses sinners to bring witness to his kingdom.
But when we think about how a heart is converted and transformed from an encounter with Christ. The power of that conversion alone is God's proof of his love for us and that individual. Just as Jesus said, those who are well need no physician. Those who sin need one. That's why he calls them out to transform them, to witness for those whose faith is weak so it will be strengthened. Just as those with a strong faith do not need this witness, they believe without a shadow of a doubt.
Acts 22:6-8
Reflection:
The witnessing of Paul has given us a testimony of Jesus' love. Saul in his on way was bent on persecuting Christians. In a sense he is worst than us in that regard. But in his zeal to destroy the kingdom on God. God forgave him, and chose him to bring the Good News to all the people.
How come Saul and not someone else? Maybe it was in the way Saul had zeal to destroy, and God in his mercy used that to convert Saul to do his will so that zeal will be used for God' kingdom. We do not know the mind of God and why he chooses sinners to bring witness to his kingdom.
But when we think about how a heart is converted and transformed from an encounter with Christ. The power of that conversion alone is God's proof of his love for us and that individual. Just as Jesus said, those who are well need no physician. Those who sin need one. That's why he calls them out to transform them, to witness for those whose faith is weak so it will be strengthened. Just as those with a strong faith do not need this witness, they believe without a shadow of a doubt.
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