The testimony of God

     I am hesitant to complain about the weather in our neck of the woods, simply because it has not been that bad, compared to so many parts of the country.  Our snowfall amounts are minimal to date, and while it has been cold (frigid), it is balmy compared to some of the low temps that I have seen reported.  It should be obvious that I am not a winter person!

     The first readings at Mass this past week, though, have warmed the heart.  They have come from the Letter of Saint John, and have spoken of the love that is ours in Christ Jesus.  That love warms the heart, brings us peace, and is our victory over sin and death.

     Today John speaks of testimony - the testimony of the Spirit, the testimony of the waters of baptism and the testimony of the Blood of Christ.  He also speaks of human testimony, and rightly points out that if we are open to believing human testimony, how much more should we believe the testimony of God. 

     And what is this testimony?  "God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  Whoever possesses the Son has life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life."  And then John reassures his listeners - "I write these things to you so that you may know that you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God."

     It is so good and so important to be reassured of the testimony of God that is found in our life of faith.