the testimony-test
"The testimony is this: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." —1 John 5:11
The purpose of life is to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and thereby receive eternal life (see Jn 20:31). The Holy Trinity has testified that Jesus is the Son of God. When Jesus emerged from the waters of His Baptism, God the Father testified that Jesus is His beloved Son (Mt 3:17). When Jesus shed His blood on the cross, the centurion testified: "Clearly this Man was the Son of God!" (Mk 15:39) "Jesus Christ it is Who came through water and blood — not in water only, but in water and in blood. It is the Spirit Who testifies to this, and the Spirit is Truth. Thus there are three that testify" (1 Jn 5:6-7).
The Lord expects us to take the events of His life literally and the Scriptures seriously as valid testimony that Jesus is the Son of God. "Whoever does not believe God has made God a liar by refusing to believe in the testimony He has given on His own Son's behalf" (1 Jn 5:10). "I have written this to you to make you realize that you possess eternal life — you who believe in the name of the Son of God" (1 Jn 5:13).
On this third last day of Christmas, let us not only deepen our faith in the Trinitarian testimony that Jesus is the Son of God. Let us also cry out to the Holy Spirit to give us the power to testify for Jesus to the maximum (see 2 Tm 1:6-8). This year, may we not miss any opportunities to help others receive eternal life by coming to faith in Jesus as the Son of God. May this be the year of eternal life, faith, and evangelization.
Prayer: Father, give me the great Christmas gift: zeal to evangelize.
Promise: "Jesus stretched out His hand to touch him and said, 'I do will it. Be cured.' Immediately the leprosy left him." —Lk 5:13
Praise: Phoebe has learned that her suffering is just a test to prepare her for endurance. She trusts day by day in God's providence.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 2, 2019
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