The Holy Spirit testifies (1 Jn 5:6-9). God the Father testifies (Jn 5:32, 37). Jesus testifies (Jn 5:36). St. John the Baptizer testifies (Jn 5:33). The Scriptures testify (Jn 5:39). God is trying to "prove His righteousness" to us (Rm 3:25, 26, RNAB). Are we listening? Have we made up our minds that God doesn't care what human beings think? Have we accordingly closed our minds and hearts? The above Scriptures show that God cares about what we think, so much so that He longs to persuade us with loving care, to woo our hearts with His love (see Hos 2:16). God is indeed bringing us into His court, but it is to court us out of love rather than to condemn us.
Listen to God — through His Word, His Church, His preachers. Beg the Lord for an open heart and open ears. Believe in Jesus; have faith in the Father. The Holy Spirit will prove the world wrong (Jn 16:8). Jesus is a tested and precious Cornerstone (Is 28:16). He is even proven in affliction (Wis 2:19). Believe the testimony about the Lord. Then add your own testimony for others to hear.
| PRAYER: | Father, why should You ever have to explain anything to me? Give me "ears open to obedience" (Ps 40:7) and a heart open to respond to Your courtship of me with love. |
| PROMISE: | "With You is forgiveness, that You may be revered." –Ps 130:4 |
| PRAISE: | Some North American Indians mangled the hands and fingers of St. Isaac Jogues. He responded by persevering in his ministry and baptizing nearly seventy-five of them. |
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