A reflection on the daily readings, for Friday of a Christmas Weekday, by Father Perry.
“The earth is flat. And if you keep sailing in that direction, you will fall off the edge of the earth.”
Now, that is a lie. Or at least, when it was believed, it was a falsehood.
To tell that falsehood in the year 950 AD, a person was simply deceived and believing something that was not true.
If they truly believed it to be so, they would simply be in error.
But, after all of the evidence that we have, including going into space and seeing with our own eyes the reality — now to tell this error to others would be to tell a lie.
We know the truth.
+ John’s letter today tells us that the Spirit, the water and the blood are “three that testify and are of one accord.”
John further tells us that this true identity of Jesus is also testified to by God — this is “the testimony God has given about his Son.”
And further, to believe in his Son is to believe in him as Father and is to have life — and more than just life — Life eternal.
+ And God spoke: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
The prophets spoke of him. John the Baptist spoke of him. The Spirit, like a dove, descended over him and then that voice — OMG that voice — thundered from the heavens and spoke clearly: “This is My Beloved Son.”
There was no mistaking it.
That is our story and “we are sticking to it.”
+ For well over 2,000 years this testimony has been handed on, handed down, and thrives to this very day.
The earth is not flat. It is round!
And this was no mere man, but rather, the Son of Man!
We have heard it! We believe it! We proclaim it!
And through it we have Life and Truth — and Love in super, super abundance!
Amen!
Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
