Witness (testify)

Scripture/Bible:  If I bear witness to myself, my testimony is not true; 32 there is another who bears witness to me, and I know that the testimony which he bears to me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony which I receive is from man; but I say this that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But 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. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness to me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen; 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe him whom he has sent. 39 You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from men. 42 But I know that you have not the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44 How can you believe, who receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; it is Moses who accuses you, on whom you set your hope. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?" John 5:31-47

Reflection:  Pulpit pounding preachers will teach their congregation that they are called to be witnesses of Christ by virtue of their call and baptism.  So be witness of Christ lest you come under judgment.  

Often, the term witness is explained as testifying to Christ in one’s life either in speech or actions; telling someone about or winning them to the Lord.  On the other hand there are some who lay a great emphasis on witnessing by deeds and even go to the extent of asserting that it is the only way to witness.  Some organize formation programmes in church circles to train people to be witnesses and other have practical sessions of reaching out with the Gospel messages.

In every sense of the term, the word witness in its original Greek and even in common language means to testify to what one has seen and experienced. It is next that they testify to the same, if possible, in one’s lifestyle and living. 

If one has witnessed a murder, then one who stands witness testifies it before the judiciary and such a witness will even carry the burden, visible in his lifestyle, fear, hurt, shock, depressed or pain, reaching out to the victim and in future to those in similar need. 

If this is what witnessing is all about, then how many of us really qualify to be a ‘witness of Christ’ and say; we have seen him, heard him and experienced him.  (cfr. 1Jn. 1:1-2)

But only Jesus gives each one the possibility, even through the church, of being a witness to him by giving us the Holy Spirit who is never restricted by time and place in order to make Jesus and his saving action  really present to us (The Catholic Eucharist is one such act of the Holy Spirit). Our sole human witnessing (testimony) is never pleasing to Jesus; or rather we can never in reality be a witness of Christ even though we may think we are doing a good job about it, apart from him.

This very reason he asks his disciples to wait in Jerusalem to be clothed with power from on high so that they can be witnesses. Acts 1:8

How then one can be witnesses of Jesus? It is by allowing God’s Holy Spirit to reign in our hearts, and waiting on him daily in prayer, waiting on him when reading his word and waiting on him when dealing with daily life situations, waiting on him so as to reach out to others;  are some of the best means to be a witness of Jesus. 

This waiting is a dying process beginning with prayer and ultimately perfected in martyrdom.  This very reason the Apostles and disciples bore perfect witness to Christ by their lives offered in Holy martyrdom. 

Prayer:  Teach me Lord to wait on you with the help of your Holy Spirit, so that my love for humanity may be perfected by thy grace.  

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