Long before Facebook became what it is today, there was a popular social networking website called Friendster. One of its features, which users loved, gave them the ability to post testimonials on their friends’ page. Testimonials are personal statements testifying to the character, skills, and capabilities of a person. They can also show how a friend appreciates the goodness and greatness of the person. I remember how valued I felt when my friends posted testimonials on my Friendster page.

In today’s gospel, Jesus said that He will send us the Holy Spirit from the Father, and that the Holy Spirit will testify to Him. He also told His disciples that they too will testify. I cannot help but relate what Jesus said with the testimonials on my Friendster account. How could I give Jesus a good testimonial? I realize that a good testimonial would be to appreciate, recount, proclaim and praise the everlasting love, goodness and mercy of Jesus towards me. But far better still, the best testimonial I could give Him is by being a living testimony myself. This should not be difficult, as Jesus promised and sent the Holy Spirit. I could only be a good testimony if I let the Holy Spirit inspire and guide me always, since it will be the Holy Spirit who will give testimony of Him.

By: Sem. Eric Yabut

Today’s Gospel

Jn 15:26—16:4a

Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.

“I have told you this so that you may not fall away.
They will expel you from the synagogues;
in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you
will think he is offering worship to God.
They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.
I have told you this so that when their hour comes
you may remember that I told you.”