It will lead to your giving testimony

Dn 5,1-6.13-14.16-17.23-28; C Dn 3,62-67; Lk 21,12-19
27 NOVEMBER

After his capture in the Garden of Olives, Jesus gave public testimony of his truth to the high priest, to the Sanhedrin, to Pilate, to Herod, to the soldiers, to his people and to the Romans. Everyone now knows that He is the promised Messiah, the King also awaited by the distant islands. His testimony was made under oath and was condemned for it. After the healing of the cripple near the Bella door of the Temple of Jerusalem, Peter and John having been imprisoned, gave testimony to the chief priests and scribes. Once the testimony is given, one is responsible for the non faith. After his coming to Jerusalem, Paul bears witness not only to the high priest and to the whole Sanhedrin, but in the long years of his imprisonment, before appealing to Caesar, he also gave witness to King Agrippa and Queen Berenice.

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You may now speak on your own behalf.” So Paul stretched out his hand and began his defence. “I count myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that I am to defend myself before you today against all the charges made against me by the Jews, especially since you are an expert in all the Jewish customs and controversies. And therefore I beg you to listen patiently. But now I am standing trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our ancestors. Our twelve tribes hope to attain to that promise as they fervently worship God day and night; and on account of this hope I am accused by Jews. “On one such occasion I was travelling to Damascus with the authorization and commission of the chief priests. At midday, along the way, O king, I saw a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my travelling companions. We all fell to the ground and I heard a voice saying to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goad.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, sir?’ And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. Get up now, and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness of what you have seen (of me) and what you will be shown. I shall deliver you from this people and from the Gentiles to whom I send you, to open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may obtain forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been consecrated by faith in me.’

“And so, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. On the contrary, first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem and throughout the whole country of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached the need to repent and turn to God, and to do works giving evidence of repentance. That is why the Jews seized me (when I was) in the temple and tried to kill me. But I have enjoyed God’s help to this very day, and so I stand here testifying to small and great alike, saying nothing different from what the prophets and Moses foretold, that the Messiah must suffer and that, as the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” While Paul was so speaking in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “You are mad, Paul; much learning is driving you mad.” But Paul replied, “I am not mad, most excellent Festus; I am speaking words of truth and reason. The king knows about these matters and to him I speak boldly, for I cannot believe that (any) of this has escaped his notice; this was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You will soon persuade me to play the Christian.” Paul replied, “I would pray to God that sooner or later not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am except for these chains.” (Cf. At 26,1-27).

The Christian must live every event in his life as a true testimony to be rendered to the grace and truth of Christ Jesus. Witness is a true way for the conversion of many hearts. Whoever believes is saved, who does not believe remains in his death. Who chooses the historical ways so that witness is given to Jesus is his Father. This is the great mystery of the mission. The Father always chooses modes and forms.

“Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defence beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.

Mother of God, Angels and Saints ensure that our life is a great witness to Jesus.