MAKING IT REAL
“[John the Baptist] was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s.” Jn. 5:35-36
People must have wondered, “How can this guy be talking this way?” “We know him; he’s just one of us.” I think there is a resistance to prophecy, sometimes from the people around us, sometimes from within ourselves.
The same is true for discipleship. Yes, the apostles did follow him, but they were often reluctant, unsuccessful, and he told them they would find resistance and difficulties along the way. They often made a mess of things. We may imagine faith as something that we possess or that gets us through. However faith, like love, really does not exist unless you give it away. To share faith with others is to make it real, alive, and prophetic.
Sharing our faith may be difficult for some of us. After all, aren’t religion and politics taboo subjects to talk about at the workplace or even among casual friends? Our families or close friends may even find our devotion a little odd, and so it might be that we bottle up the faith that makes us feel alive and tuck it away for fear of embarrassment. The testimony to our faith need not be expressed in words or a logical discourse. People are more drawn to how faith moves us to more life, love, and joy. Sharing our love and joy makes our faith real.
How and to who can I share my faith through love and joy today?
Adapted from John F. Kavanaugh, SJ