Each one of us carries in our memory and our heart some people who have brought us closer to God with the testimony of their lives. They are not great heroes, nor famous, but their enthusiasm, their commitment, their faith, and their happiness has moved us to re-establish ourselves or to strengthen our following of Jesus. And, of course, at some time in our lives we also have been a testimony to others.
When in the gospel I see the vocation of the disciples, I understand the reasoning. For example, Levi: “in passing, he saw Levi …and says to him: follow me … he rose and followed him (Mc 2,14). The gospel says no more just that he followed him. But … how must Jesus have gazed at him! Was it a look full of tenderness and compassion, a look without reprimand?
Jesus’ gaze makes you feel accepted, just as you are, he loves you unconditionally and leaves your heart embraced… That unconditional love of Jesus radically changed the lives of the disciples and also changes ours. Each one of us is called to love as he loves us. We should leave behind our security and selfishness so that we can re-orientate our own existence as a key to share life with others. He transforms us and is capable of correcting the course of our life changing our impoverished values into values of the kingdom.
To maintain our living faith and transmit it to today’s world supposes that we walk with others, in communion: recount our own experiences, offer a recent testimony, accompany those who seek, provoke questions, make God known to the most needy according to our commitment. We will try to reveal Jesus with our actions, following his footsteps and making the way easy for all the others.
At which time do I find myself in my following of Jesus? In which way am I a testimony for others?