Readings of the day: RB 2:23-29
Mass: Ac 1:15-17, 20-26; Resp 113; Jn 15:9-17
 |
| Photo from http://www.viralnovelty.net/7-signs-integrity-often-go-unnoticed/ |
It is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection.
Today Peter presents us with the needed qualifications of the man chosen to take the place of Judas and complete the Twelve apostles. The man had to be there with John and then live and walk with Jesus in the company of the other Apostles, being an eyewitness…witnessing to the ways of the Lord with his own eyes and ears, and most importantly witnessing to the Lord’s Resurrection. St John Chrysostom puts it this way:
That witness would be more believable who could declare that he who ate and drank and was crucified also rose from the dead. He needed to be a witness not of the times before or after the event, and not of the signs and wonders, but only of the resurrection itself. For the rest happened by general admission, openly; but the resurrection took place secretly, and was known to these men only.
So important is personal witness and testimony, rather than second hand knowledge or hearsay. We often get caught up in the latter, believing what others say about people, events, or circumstances, a kind of ‘he said,’ ‘she said’ way of living. I am not sure this is the best way to build a community of love.
This I command you: love one another.
No comments:
Post a Comment