Testimony

We cannot imagine our lives, among other things, without testimony. Everyday life leads us to situations where we have to express ourselves about something or someone, make it better, be careful. However, we know that the testimony of everything and everyone is not the same. It has its criteria.

One of the most serious is the life of the testimony. Luke says in the Gospel: “The prophetess Anna, the daughter of Fanuel of the tribe of Asher, also lived at that time. She was old. From her virginity, she lived with her husband for seven years, then as a widow until the age of 84. She did not leave the temple, serving fasting and prayer day and night. At that very moment, she also came and glorified God and spoke of him to all who awaited the redemption of Jerusalem ”(Lk 2: 36-39). Before our eyes are the second witness Anna to testify that Jesus is the expected Redeemer, her testimony is not valued by her old age, the state that she was a widow, on the contrary. Her life is full of values ​​before God and before the nation that knew her from her work in the temple. As we read this carefully, we certainly ask ourselves the question: What were the words of her prophecy? We know the prophetic words of Simeon. Why don’t we know her prophecy? Does that fact lead us to the idea that the Anne report had a different role in this event? Luke certainly wants to point to the pattern of the Christian widow. We know that the chosen nation, for the most part, did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. Especially not learned and leaders, Pharisees, and scribes. However, Jesus was accepted by toll booths, sinners, simple people, and especially women. Anna’s position in Israel was not enviable. A woman without a man, a descendant, and yet she gave her life value, a meaning, which we see from the words: “She did not leave the temple, she served God by fasting and prayer day and night” (2,37). He does not pray for himself, but for his nation, for his salvation, for the early coming of the Redeemer.

It has happened to me several times that I have heard the teasing remark that our faith is the faith of women and older adults. This is not entirely true. I see young people in the church; I also see men. Why no more, it’s a matter for another debate. However, it wants to tell us that such a state must not lead us to carelessness, to inferiority. Those who penetrate this issue and understand it correctly will not be surprised by these other words. One day we will know the value of the old and the sick’s prayers, which many despise. We will know what value they had before God, from what they saved us, how many graces and blessings they asked of us. Often the grandmother, the grandfather, whom we underestimated, did not have a kind word for them, a smile that shook hands and for whom we had only a word of irony “go pray, go to church,” begged us for the necessary graces.

Let us not look at old age and disease as a burden on society, the family. On the contrary, many believers often realize it in old age that they must thank God for everything he neglected at a young age when he was healthy or lazy … We often see tears in older adults’ eyes. These are not only tears of body pain but also soul pain. They mourn their sins properly. They realize what sin is, what an insult to God. They committed it so often; maybe they didn’t even regret it, they didn’t apologize … Grandchildren, pay attention to grandparents! They often pray for you too. Yes, they want to give you something valuable and beautiful. However, you do not accept them. You can’t appreciate their love. Old and sick brothers and sisters should read this gospel more to realize that old age is not just a hunt to leave their children and grandchildren as much as possible. Sad is the grandmother’s sight, the grandfather, who throws her wife after the mammon, who still distances their children from God when they cannot appreciate their efforts. Old and sick brothers and sisters, enjoy your old age, peace, and relaxation! Relax, use the time to apologize, thank, and glorify the Lord God! Your time is more fulfilling than young people. You will stand before God, before whom you will bear witness of your life. What will be the testimony when there is no God, when indifference wins, disinterest in God?

To those of you who come to the temple regularly in time and time, who offer such great sacrifices, I would like to thank you for your example, for the strength of your testimony, and your relationship to our faith, to Jesus. I want to wish you many more strengths, graces, and especially what you desire the most, namely a peaceful departure before Jesus Christ, the Judge of the living and the dead.

Yes, the Church cannot imagine her work without the testimony of young people, but also of you – those who were born earlier. Let us realize that the Church needs testimony from you, men, fathers, brothers, dear young friends. This is a serious challenge for us at the end of this year.