April 23, 2009
Time after Easter

"Witness"

It seems to me that the word "Witness" is key to our understanding the texts of the Sacred Liturgy, not only for today, but during the Easter Season.

Today's reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells us how the disciples, after being released from prison talk openly about Jesus, - his message, the Passion, Death and Resurrection. They do so unabashedly. This witness would eventually lead them to the witness of martyrdom.

In the Gospel today (from the John 3:31ff) it is the Baptist who gives witness to Jesus. The amazing humility of John the Baptist, the fact that he was so comfortable in his own skin gave him the remarkable self-assurance to point out the Messiah and then step into the shadows of the Gospel. John's witness would lead to martyrdom, as we all know.

Being a "witness" is what we are called to do by virtue of our Baptismal and Confirmation Grace. We give witness by simply being "good", by giving good example, being true to who we are and what we are.

The Baptist was comfortable with his identity. We need to be comfortable with our identity as Catholics. A CATHOLIC CAN'T PICK AND CHOOSE IN ORDER TO BE A WITNESS. A Catholic must understand the mission of the Gospel and of the Church. Then he or she must live it - uncompromisingly.