Friday after the Epiphany
(I John 5:5-13; Luke 5:12-16)
Today’s first reading speaks of the Spirit of Jesus testifying
to his being Son of God. It is saying what
Jesus himself expresses in the synagogue of Nazareth according to Luke’s
gospel: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…”
That is, Jesus’ marvelous deeds give testimony to his divine
origin. Something very similar can be
said about Jesus’ followers.
Christians, including us, have been given the Spirit at
Baptism to perform loving deeds. We are
enabled to assist others without concern for personal gain. Indeed, we can help the oppressed even though
it may bring about some loss. One man has
driven fifty miles every week for over five years to visit inmates in a state
prison. He is a cursillista who chose
prison ministry as his apostolate.
Some of us are called to give further testimony. These are the martyrs like the 500 Christians
in India who were slaughtered by Hindu radicals in 2008. Their adhesion to the faith despite the
constant threat of persecution gives the most eloquent testimony to Jesus’ Spirit
acting in them as well as Jesus’ being God’s Son.
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