December 27, 2017 Wednesday in the Octave of Christmas ST JOHN, APOSTLE, EVANGELIST -B

1 John 1:1-4

Psalm 97

John 20:1-8

 …what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you… 1 John 1:3

…he saw and believed.  John 20:8

Lord, we have a saying that goes “seeing is believing”.  The point is that belief in something or someone often depends upon seeing with our own eyes.   While I can’t be everywhere or look into past history I must rely upon what others have seen with their eyes.  Today, your beloved disciple John testifies to what he has seen.  He goes even farther and states what he has heard and touched.  He wants us to know you became one of us, lived among us, died for us and rose so we could share eternal life with you.  This knowledge leads to belief.  Belief leads to a relationship with you that is personal and real and in the present.  Lord, I trust you desire a close, living and real relationship with me like the one John had with you.  He was faithful to you to the end because of what he saw, heard and touched.  I have seen your presence in my life.  I have heard your word proclaimed in scripture and I have touched you in the Eucharist.   Dear Jesus, come alive in my heart so that my joy may be complete.  Amen.