“But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John…” (John 5:36).
I recently heard a story about a man who has been declared “Blessed” by the Catholic Church. This means that his case is being considered as a Saint.
The man was a priest who survived the Spanish Civil War and his name was Blessed Alvaro del Portillo.
During the Civil War, Blessed Alvaro was forced to join the engineering academy for non-career military officers. Immediately after signing up, he asked his commanding officer for permission to attend daily Mass every morning at one of the nearby Monastery of Miraflores. The commanding officer gave only unofficial permission for Blessed Alvaro to attend morning Mass. He told Blessed Alvaro that if he was asked about this practice, he would pretend that he knew nothing about it.
Armed with this unofficial consent, Blessed Alvaro attended Mass every single morning. To accomplish this, he needed to wake up very early and walk a considerable distance in often difficult weather (particularly during the winter). He also needed to ensure that he returned prior to the reveille being sounded each day.
In the beginning he went alone. However, a few weeks later – by the time the course he was attending had ended – some thirty other men were accompanying Blessed Alvaro to mass daily.
And I have been reflecting on why these men followed Blessed Alvaro. Was it because he preached to them with fancy words? I really do not think so. I believe that it was because he preached to them with genuine actions!
After all, they must have thought to themselves, why is he doing that? What is he getting out of that? What is so good about that? Who would do that? Surely – with the eyes of the world – those men would have wondered why anyone would put themselves through such discomfort for such a reason as daily worship…
And I compare that example of Blessed Alvaro (and others like him) with that of Saint John the Baptist. You see… “You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony which I receive is from man; but I say this that you may be saved… But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has granted Me to accomplish, these very works which I am doing, bear Me witness that the Father has sent Me.” (John 5:33-36).
You see, John the Baptist – like Blessed Alvaro – led by example. It was through their FAITH that they pointed to Christ. And at first people followed them because they were intrigued by their faith – their actions were astounding. And later – after they were drawn to Christ by following leaders such as Saint John the Baptist and Blessed Alvaro – they followed Christ for love of Him directly… And that is the most marvellous thing I can think of.
It was the same story in the Samaritan village when people followed Christ because they were following the faith of the Samaritan woman who met Him at the well… “many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony” (John 4:39).
And Christ allows some souls this honour of leading others to Him.
For there is such glory in heaven for souls whose faith can be followed. And when I think about that today, I realise that there is much work yet for me to do…
For right now, my faith will not move mountains, and that means that it is simply not strong enough to follow…
And that means that there is much work yet for me to do to ensure that I am standing a the front of the line that draws others to my Beloved…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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