Called to be witnesses (Thursday, Easter 2, 2021)

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To be a witness and to be a preacher, these are two different things. Anyone can be a preacher. Anyone can take to the streets and begin to preach. But to be a witness is not just about speaking but living out what one speaks about.


Christians are called to be witnesses: to be witnesses by their utterances and by their lives. In Acts 5:27-33, we see the disciples bearing witness to the Risen Lord not only by words of mouth but by their lives: before the Jewish officials they were ready to die as they testified to the Risen Lord; ever ready to obey God rather than men. This is what it means to bear witness to Jesus!


In John 3:31-36, John the Baptist, talking about Jesus, told His disciples, “Jesus must increase; he (John) must decrease. Jesus is the one who comes from above and He is above all.” By these words, John the Baptist has given us another dimension of witnessing: placing Jesus at the centre of all that we do and say. Of course, by His words and life, John the Baptist bore witness to Jesus, and never made himself the centre of attention. In all that he did and said, he pointed to Jesus.


We may have to think about the words of Pope St Paul VI who is known to have said that "modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses". There are many "preachers" in the world, but very few witnesses. You and I may not have the platform or the opportunity to give formal preaching like priests or pastors, but we can still be witnesses, giving powerful sermons by our lives.


As we think about this, we should not forget that it is the Spirit that gives us power to bear witness. That’s why Peter was bold to tell the Jewish officials, “We are witnesses to the resurrection, we and the Holy Spirit”. The Spirit is our indispensable companion. We can’t do without the Holy Spirit. Just as a vehicle can’t function without the engine, we too can’t bear lasting witness without the Holy Spirit.


But for the vehicle to move, the engine has to be ignited by the driver. Yes, we have the Spirit; but we must ignite or fan into flames the gifts of the Spirit so that we can bear witness to Jesus in so many ways. Remember that this Spirit has been given to all of us without reserve (cf. Jn. 3:34). It is not just about having the Spirit in us. Are we open to the Spirit? Are we ready to follow His promptings? 


Prayer:

May my life be the message, not just a mere vessel for the message, Amen!


Have a Spirit-filled day!



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