2nd Sunday OT 2008

In a court of law one of the most important things that you can get is the person who is a witness. The witness is the person who might have heard or seen something that might help get to the truth of the matter being investigated by the court. A witness also might also be a doctor, or a scientist or some other related person that might help to get to the heart of the matter. In the court what happens is there is a close scrutiny of the witness: what did you really hear? What did you really see? What do you really know that can help?

Although not a court more a tribunal, we can see that is what is happening in the inquest concerning the death of Princess Diana. People are being forward as witnesses who knew her, experts are being called to give evidence. A close scrutiny is being made of what they are saying to get to the bottom of things. What was the thing that actually happened that day?

At the heart of what is being found out in this tribunal, in any court case, is the truth. Very often there can be conflicting views of the truth. I suppose that is the whole nature of the court, to establish the truth and to do justice. because if you base things on lies, and of there is no justice, then things crumble around us.

(I suppose that is one of the great concerns of the Church at the present time. If you go down the road of lack of respect for the unborn child and the transmission of life, then the basis of truth is corrupted)

As we listen to the Gospel there is a sense in which things and people are called as witnesses for Christ. The apostles are his witnesses. The works and miracles are his witnesses. The Father is said to be his witness. The Holy Spirit testifies to him. And today in the Gospel we hear that John the Baptist is his witness. He says that he is the lamb of God, he says that he is more important than him, he says that he is the reason he is baptising them, he says that he is the one whom he saw the H Spirit come down on, he is the one who will baptise with the HS, he says that he is the Chosen one of God.

In the court the witness must be reliable. Was he there? Did he see anything? Did he hear things? What did he understand? It is clear John the Baptist is brought forward as a very significant witness. He was there. He heard thing. He saw things. He was meant to prepare things and now he identifies Jesus as the one whom they are waiting on.

We are happy enough to listen to the fact of other people who are witnesses. But by our own baptism we are called to be witnesses. We might not have been there, might not have seen or heard but we claim we have faith. People will want to ask us the reason why we believe. People will want to scrutinise our lives, what we believe and what we do. Are we a reliable witness? This is where it gets uncomfortable. You have to step forward from the crowd and say what you believe. The move from bystander to witness is great. From passive to active faith. From the armchair to standing up for things.

A witness is a person that does more than just look on. A witness stands out, takes faith to another level. A witness is prepared to walk the extra mile. Not just pray once but every day. Not just receive communion once but more often. Not just think charitable thought but do them. A witness is not content just to be part of the church but active in the church. A witness doesn’t stand quietly by but sticks up for what they believe.

To be a witnesses means something active and living not something passive or subdued.

In the reading of today’s mass Paul recognises himself as a witness. At the end of the Gospel the apostles are called in to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. We are also called as witnesses.

A court is being held and all who are his witnesses are being called. People are listening, they want to get to the truth of this matter, everything depends on it.

Prayers of Intercession 2nd Sunday in OT

Priest

Mindful of God’s care for us we pray for our daily needs

Intercessor

St Paul reminds us that the Church that he is a witness – may we have the courage to see ourselves as active witnesses for our faith.

Lord hear us

In the scriptures marriage is blessed by God and is a symbol of our unity with Him – may we always see marriage as a vocation from God.

Lord hear us

For peace in our world, especially in countries like Iraq where there is so much suffering and killing.

Lord hear us

For the Church in this week of prayer for Christian unity, that we may be reminded to work actively for peace and unity amongst the followers of Christ.

Lord hear us

For all who have died, especially Elizabeth Russell and all that we are asked to remember in prayer.

Lord hear us

Priest

You give us our daily bread, you give us your Holy Spirit in Baptism. You so often show us your love and mercy. Help us in our weakness, and in the trials of life to remain faithful to you and to bear witness to you. Top Comment on this Homily