Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

In Acts 16:11-15 a woman, Lydia, a worshiper of God, has her heart opened by the Lord to the words of the apostles. This made me think that even though we are all worshipers of God, our hearts are still not open to his words. In today’s Gospel, Jesus says “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you will also testify, because you have been with me from the start.”

These words apply to us today as well. We must stand by our beliefs even though non-believers will persecute us and kill us and burn our places of worship and believe they are offering worship to God. They do not know God or Jesus and so we must take what is given to us and never waver from the faith. If we do so, we will be rewarded after death for staying true and testifying. And even if you do falter and fall from the light, the Lord will forgive you and you can find the path to Heaven again. Testifying to God can be as simple as going to Church every Sunday and praying or as involved as serving at Mass, participating in Church organizations such as bible studies, fundraising, or outreach programs.

There is so much that you can do to testify to your belief in God and it doesn’t have to be boring or difficult. In the end it all comes down to simply thanking God for everything He does for us- the little and the big.

“Praise be to God for mountains and rivers,
Thanks for the gifts of islands and trees,
Asking thee only for thy blessing,
May we all learn to live in peace.”

Risa McNellis