Friday after Epiphany
What is necessary for victory in this world? According to St. John, all that we need is belief in God’s testimony on behalf of his Son, Jesus. With this belief, Jesus comes to dwell in us, and so give us everlasting life. And there is proof of true victory: the lasting fruit of true peace. Many other circumstances may pose as victory, but nothing beats everlasting life.
This is what we see in the Gospel as well. When people begin crowding around Jesus to seek his teaching and healing, he gave them another lesson by his actions: “he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.” (Luke 5:16) Christ shows us that the relationship with the Father, who is the source and fulfillment of life, is more important than all else.
Does my life show that I believe in the Father and in Jesus the Son? Today, may God give us the gift of prayer, the grace of an intimate conversation with Him which provides us with the assurance of true peace.