Locally and nationally, there are some high-profile trials going on that some of us follow day to day. In each trial, there is the question about the reliability of the witnesses for both the prosecution and the defense. If you’re the defendant, all you need to do is have the jury believe that there is reasonable doubt that you didn’t commit the crime you are accused of, and that doubt could arise from the credibility of the witnesses.
Credible Witnesses
In today’s gospel, Jesus’ use of the word “testify” caused me to think about how we are called to be witnesses to God’s works within us and throughout history.
We may not think of sharing the Good News of Jesus in the legal terms that Jesus uses, but I think it helps to understand that just like witnesses in a court case, we need to be credible witnesses that lead to people’s verdicts on God’s identity and sovereignty in our lives.
The Spirit of Truth
It's a humbling and daunting thing to consider that we have been given this responsibility as baptized Christians; this is why Jesus told the disciples in the early Church, and now us, His disciples of this time, that He will send us an Advocate, the Holy Spirit, the “Spirit of Truth,” from the Father.
Jesus further explains that when we receive the Holy Spirit, this Spirit of Truth will testify to Jesus, which will allow us to give witness of Jesus to others.
In a legal trial, a witness is being evaluated by the jury as to whether they are telling the truth as well as to the accuracy of their memory.
Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will provide us with the Truth and that He, Jesus, is speaking to us now, so that when we face persecution for our faith, whether overtly or nuanced, we can remember who Jesus is and how He loves us.
With the Holy Spirit, we can give credible witness to the beauty and love of God’s care for all people, even for those who may at first reject us. Jesus reassures us that, with the Holy Spirit, we will be good witnesses to Him!
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