Newton Basumatari csc –
Readings: Det 10: 12-22; Mt 17: 22-27
In today’s world people look for evidences and witnesses to accept the truth. Our church document Lumen Gentium No. 104 invites us to become witnesses of Christ to everyone. It says, “everywhere on earth people must bear witness to Christ and give an answer to those who seek an account of that hope of eternal life which is in them”. God’s love is manifested in the person of Christ, and we are to bear witness this truth.
In the first reading, we hear Moses reminding the people of Israel how they had witnessed God’s love in their journey, and now God wants to get into a deeper relationship with them by making a covenant so that they will always remain in his love.
In the gospel reading we hear Jesus foretells his passion, death, and resurrection. It was very hard for the disciples to accept that Jesus, the Messiah was going to suffer. These words of Jesus remind us that our own life will not end in death. If we live in Jesus, then we shall also rise with Him. During the time of trials and tribulations his saving grace will be available to us.
Today’s saint Maximilian Kolbe was convinced of this truth. This conviction, indeed, made him to bear witness to Christ and to his sacrificial love. It is easy to say that I experience God’s love in my day-to-day living but challenging to be a channel for others to experience God’s love.