RBWords

     The story of Susanna is a delightful bit of Sherlock Holmes and other pre-modern detective reasoning.  It doesn't seem to have much in common with the controversy between Jesus and the religious authorities in the temple.  But both passages deal with testimony and I suppose that it why the two occur together. In the case of Susanna, it is a matter of false testimony that could have led to a death sentence.  In the case of Jesus, it is testimony that will lead to eternal life: "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life."

     I suspect most of us think of courtrooms or legislative hearings when we hear the word, "testimony."  The "witness" is "sworn in" and is subject to prosecution for not telling " the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth."  However, we are all called by our baptism to "bear witness" to the truth that is Jesus Christ.  Are we good "witnesses?"  Would our faith stand up to the "cross-examination" of our secular culture?  As we approach the very dangerous time of Holy Week, are we willing to enter into the events and stand with Jesus, or, like Peter, swear that we never knew the man?   AMEN