The words "testimony" and "testifies" are used three times in today's Gospel passage. Jesus testified to "what He [had] seen and heard," both in heaven and on earth (see Jn 3:11).
In today's first reading, St. Peter and the apostles testified before the Sanhedrin that God raised Jesus from the dead to bring repentance and forgiveness of sins (Acts 5:30-31). They concluded by saying publicly: "We testify to this" (Acts 5:32). The same apostles who cowered in fear in the upper room now boldly testified to their captors. The Holy Spirit gave them the testimony and fortified them with the courage to speak boldly of Jesus. Praise God for "the Spirit of Truth" (Jn 16:13), Who enables us to testify to God's mercy and power.
God lavishes the Holy Spirit on us (Ti 3:6) and then the Spirit flows powerfully through us (Jn 7:37-38). May the Holy Spirit, poured out on us (Rm 5:5), flow like a powerful river. May we never ration the Spirit as we minister to others (see Jn 3:34). May we never stifle the Spirit as He ministers through us (1 Thes 5:19). Beg God daily for the gift of the Holy Spirit (Lk 11:13). In the Holy Spirit, testify powerfully to the Lord (see 2 Tm 1:8; Rv 12:11).
| PRAYER: | Father, I fall on my knees and beg You to set me on fire with the Holy Spirit. Use me and use me up. |
| PROMISE: | "For the One Whom God has sent speaks the words of God; He does not ration His gift of the Spirit." –Jn 3:34 |
| PRAISE: | St. Stanislaus, bishop of Kracow, Poland, admonished the King of Poland to repent of his adultery. The King responded by murdering Stanislaus as he celebrated Mass. Praise be to God for the courageous faith of the martyrs. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College