Credible Witnesses

In this morning’s second reading from 1 John we heard these words:

Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. (1 John 2:4-5)

The author of 1 John does not mince words when he calls those who claim to know Jesus but do not keep his commandments liars. That’s a harsh truth that must be faced by those who do not live in accord with the faith they profess.

It is a common New Testament theme that there is a necessary connection between what we profess and how we live. James 2:14-19 provides another pointed example. In this passage he states that faith without works is dead. These passages and others like them only state what Jesus himself often preached. For example, in Matthew 7:21 Jesus said:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

The readings for the fifty days of Easter make clear that the first Christians took this connection to heart.

The Gospel passages for the first three Sundays of Easter relate appearances of the Risen Lord to various disciples and followers. Often these appearance carry with them Jesus’ command to share the news with others. At the close of today’s Gospel Jesus says: “ You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24: 48) The first readings for the whole fifty days of Easter relate how the disciples and followers did witness to the resurrection of Jesus through their bold preaching and inspired living of the teachings of Jesus. There was no disconnect between what they professed and how they lived.

The Easter season invites you and me to renew our belief in the Risen Lord and also to examine whether our lives make explicit our belief that he is alive. Take a hard look at your life. Would the members of your family, the people you go to school with, or those you see every day at work or in the neighborhood say without hesitation that you are living the Christian faith you profess?

I would hate to be called a “liar” because my profession of faith in the Lord Jesus was in word only. Let us strive to be credible witnesses to the Resurrection of Jesus. May our lives and the witness of our parish mirror the wonderful spirit so evident in the first community of believers as described in the Acts of the Apostles.

Fr. John P. Klein, Pastor