Acts 16:11-15 / John 15:26-16:4
If we had been in a courtroom or at least seen courtroom dramas on tv and movies, then we may know what it means to be a witness.
To stand as a witness means that one is most likely to be cross-examined, or grilled, either by the prosecution or by the defense attorneys.
To be a witness, there are two necessary elements: to know the truth, and to speak the truth.
Jesus calls us to be His witnesses.
To be His witnesses, there are two necessary elements: to know Jesus and His teachings, and also to have a deep relationship with Him.
It is from this knowledge and relationship that we witness to Jesus with our words and actions.
We witness to Jesus in a world that may not know who Jesus is, and to a world that thinks it can do without God.
In a world that is filled with hostility and disregard for human dignity, our witnessing to Jesus is vital and necessary.
Just as we heard in the 1st reading, the Lord opened the heart of Lydia to the preaching of Paul, we too must continue our witnessing so that the Lord can open more hearts.