Monday 15th May 2023. Read Acts 16:11-15, Ps. 149:1-6,9, John 15:26-16:4
“But when the Counsellor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me; and you also are witnesses.” (John 15:26-27)
In a law court, when a person is being accused of something or being tried over an act that he supposedly carried out in the past, there are usually persons who are brought to the stand to relate their own versions of the event. The words of these persons (witnesses) become very powerful because they can either establish the innocence or guilt of the accused.
Today, Jesus Christ calls us his witnesses. We are to work side by side with the Holy Spirit in spreading the truth about him to the world. The question is: How are we to be his witnesses if we are yet to understand him fully? How can we talk to people about Jesus without first talking to Jesus himself? How are we to stand up for him, if we are not convinced about him as the answer to the world’s deepest yearnings? How can we witness to him if we do not abide in the Holy Spirit?
Our first reading today records how our fathers in the faith carried out their duty as witnesses in the region of Macedonia and how the Holy Spirit used them mightily to bring the leading men and women of the city to God. They give us an example of how we are to witness for Christ.
However, as Jesus himself said, witnessing for him comes with its own downsides. There are definitely roadblocks along the way. It is not funny! There are certainly people who will be ready to kill you all because you are talking about Jesus. Jesus said: “Even people who kill you will think they are doing a service to God.”
The truth is that our greatest persecution may not come from atheists but from our fellow Christians. The heroes of today are those who continue to walk in the light even when our world finds it luxurious to remain in the darkness. Let us be on our guard and live in a manner that truly represents us as witnesses for Christ.
Let us pray: Come O Holy Spirit that I may give a good account of my faith by my words and by the example of my life. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 6th week of Eastertide. Bible Study: Acts 16:11-15, Ps. 149:1-6,9, John 15:26-16:4).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
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