The Witnesses to Christ

 Reflection on Today’s Readings, Monday of 6th Week of Easter, May 23rd, 2022

Texts: Acts 16:11-15; Psalm 149: 1bc-6a.9bc; John 15:26-16:4a

Jesus Christ mentions two witnesses in today’s gospel reading.  Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth, is to witness Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the truth, so if Holy Spirit has come to reveal the truth, it means He has come to reveal Jesus Christ to the world. The Holy Spirit prepares the hearts of men for the reception of the word of faith. He is the One that breaks heart of stone, soften a hardened heart and makes them fertile for the word of faith. The Holy Spirit bears witness by deepening our knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ, by filling us with wisdom and courage to go forth and preach the gospel to the hostile world. He continues to fill us with zeal for Christ,  pouring into our hearts the love of the Son and the Father. He bears witness by giving us wise counsel and reprimanding us when we do wrong and calling us to repentance. Today’s first reading shows us how the Holy Spirit bore witness in the ministry of St. Paul. It is said, “The Lord opened her heart to listen to what was said by Paul.”

Jesus Chris also calls us His witnesses. We are His witnesses because we have been with Him from the beginning and He has revealed Himself to us. Our witnessing to Jesus Christ is about what we know of Him. Our witnessing is speaking boldly about our a life He has shared with us. Witnessing to Jesus Christ is demonstrating in our lives our faith in Him. Our witnessing to Jesus Christ is not about what we heard from people but what we experience and know about Him. The good news of Jesus Christ is not hearsay but that which comes from the depth of our experience, convictions and what we know. The good news is not just a story but experience shared.  

Paul is given in today’s first reading as an example of witnesses. Being witnesses we are to be like Paul, carrying the good news with us wherever we go. We are witnesses to the good news when our lives become the embodiments of the good news. What works magic in our own generation is living the good news: speaking about the faith works wonder but living the faith does more wonder. Our lives should rather preach the good news than our mouths preaching it. The good news has been heard but far from being lived. People are only waiting to see us live what they had heard so that they can repent and believe. Therefore, let us live the good news.  

Grant, O merciful God, that we may experience at all times the fruit produced by the paschal observances. Amen (Collect)

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke