Three messages strike me as I reflect on today’s Gospel.
First, one way we imitate God in the person the Holy Spirit is by testifying to Jesus. We are made in the image and likeness of God and must testify to him who is Truth. What does it mean to testify to Jesus? Google says it means to serve as evidence or proof of something’s existence. Though we haven’t been with Jesus “since the beginning” like his disciples were, He has been with us always and our lives should serve as proof of His nearness. Do those you encounter sense the centrality of Jesus in your life?
Secondly, I am touched that Jesus warns his disciples, and us, about the world’s response to our witness. To me it signals care and concern that Jesus would prepare us for any suffering that may come with our witness. A real lover would be concerned with the suffering of his beloved, even if it were necessary for their greater good. This reminds me that my God, my Leader, the Lover of my soul is truly good and trustworthy. It gives me peace to know that He has my temporal and eternal wellbeing in mind. As our saint of the day Philip Neri says: “The greatness of our love of God must be tested by the desire we have of suffering for His love.” So too, the greatness of God’s love is in Him going before us and walking with us every step of the way.
The last thing, that pricks my conscience a bit, is “everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God.” It makes me think of St. Paul before his conversion, but I also question how many times my zeal for God has been an impediment rather than an inspiration for faith. I am often disheartened by things I have said or paths I have taken that caused harm or scandal. In his love and mercy, Jesus puts us in check today. He gives us an opportunity to examine our conscience about how well we serve Him. He is reminding us to remain humble in our evangelism and, like St. Philip Neri, to lead with love and cheerfulness.
Tres mensajes me llaman la atención al reflexionar sobre el Evangelio de hoy.
En primer lugar, una forma de imitar a Dios en la persona del Espíritu Santo es dar testimonio de Jesús. Estamos hechos a imagen y semejanza de Dios y debemos dar testimonio de Aquel que es la Verdad. ¿Qué significa dar testimonio de Jesús? Google dice que significa: servir como evidencia o prueba de la existencia de algo. Aunque no hemos estado con Jesús “desde el principio” como lo estuvieron sus discípulos, Él ha estado con nosotros siempre y nuestras vidas deben servir como prueba de Su cercanía. ¿Las personas con que te encuentras sienten que Jesús es lo central en tu vida?
En segundo lugar, me conmueve que Jesús advierta a sus discípulos, y a nosotros, sobre la respuesta que el mundo tendrá a nuestro testimonio. Para mí, es una señal del cuidado y preocupación que Jesús nos tiene al prepararnos para cualquier sufrimiento que pueda venir con nuestro testimonio. Un verdadero amante se preocupa por el sufrimiento de su amado, incluso si fuera necesario para su mayor bien. Esto me recuerda que mi Dios, mi Líder, el Amante de mi alma es verdaderamente bueno y digno de confianza. Me da paz saber que Él tiene en mente mi bienestar temporal y eterno. Como dice el santo del día Felipe Neri: “La grandeza de nuestro amor a Dios debe probarse por el deseo que tenemos de sufrir por su amor”. Así también, la grandeza del amor de Dios está en que va delante de nosotros y camina con nosotros en cada paso del camino.
La última cosa, que me pica un poco la conciencia, es “el que les dé muerte creerá dar culto a Dios”. Me hace pensar en San Pablo antes de su conversión, pero también me pregunto cuántas veces mi celo por Dios ha sido un impedimento en lugar de una inspiración para la fe. A menudo me desalientan las cosas que he dicho o los caminos que he tomado que causaron daño o escándalo. En su amor y misericordia, hoy Jesús nos encamina de nuevo. Nos da la oportunidad de examinar la conciencia acerca de qué tan bien lo servimos. Nos recuerda que debemos permanecer humildes en la evangelización y, como San Felipe Neri, ser líderes llenos de amor y alegría.
Former NPS Park Ranger, Catholic educator, and Youth Minister, Melissa Lucca now spends her days evangelizing family and neighbors as a stay-at-home mom. She holds an MA in Theology from the Augustine Institute and pursues personal study in her spare time. Melissa loves Ignatian Spirituality, Mother Mary, and rock climbing. If you don’t hear her and her kiddo laughing at home, then they are probably out on an adventure!
Feature Image Credit: Jean-Leon Gerome, Public Domain, art.thewalters.org/detail/36782/the-christian-martyrs-last-prayer/
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