Wine tasters first smell the wine. Then they taste with their tongue, before drinking a little for the full flavor. Those who taste dishes act similarly. There is that simple but essential experience with the wine or food. It is only then that the person can speak, testify, or bear witness regarding the wine or food. Psalm 34 invites us to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” Today, we celebrate St. John the Apostle. Like a wine or food taster, he speaks about the “Word of life” whom they heard, saw, looked upon, and touched physically. Convinced, he spent his life testifying that Christ is the Messiah. Most Christians won’t have that privilege. However, we do have the capacity and privilege, through the Holy Spirit, to meet and experience him, too. Everyone is capable of seeing, tasting, looking upon, and hearing Jesus, especially in the Eucharist. It is only when we have met or experienced Jesus, like the tasters, that we will know that he is sweet. Then we too will passionately speak and testify to what we have experienced, just like John. 

Prayer: Christ Jesus, may our encounter with you be deep and personal, capable of nourishing our faith and witness. Amen.