You will receive power when the Holy Spirit
comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Go into the whole world and
proclaim the gospel to every creature (Mk 16:15).
This message, just before the ascension, to
the disciples 2000 plus years ago is also a message to each of Christ’s
followers today who await their own ascension. It is a message and command on
all the faithful to be witnesses of the Good News. How can we be witnesses of
Christ? The scriptures gives us several
ways to be witnesses of Christ.
Clap your hands, shout to God with cries of
gladness, sing hymns of praise (Ps 47: 2 ff) is a powerful way of witnessing to
Christ. Think of the hymns we sing today, the impact of the words and music
written several centuries ago on the thoughts and lives of generations of the
past and the generations to come.
St Paul urges us to live in a manner worthy of
the calling we have received (Eph 4: 1). The call we have received is that of
one Lord, one faith, one Baptism (Eph 4:2) but typified in several ways. Some
have been called to the life of religious and ordained, others to be teachers,
parents, nurses, fire fighters, medical doctors, civil leaders, engineers,
scientists, janitors. Within these dimensional calls are several skill sets
which we as individuals use to be witnesses of Christ.
The teacher in the classroom impacting
knowledge to the students is a witness of Christ, following the example of
Christ the first Teacher. The medical doctor or nurse attending to patients is
a witness of Christ who healed the sick at home and on the wayside. The
scientist in a research laboratory is a witness of Christ in making known the
unknown. The astronaut is a witness of Christ in making visible the invisible
as is the case with space exploration thus making it possible to further
appreciate God’s creation. Law enforcement officers are witnesses of Christ in
restoring order and peace in society.
Parents in the upbringing of their children
are witness of Christ in the world in building his church. They are also a
constant reminder that the family is the first church of the society. Children
in listening to their parents and teachers are witnesses of Christ who was
obedient to Mary and Joseph and his heavenly Father event to accepting death on
a cross. Supporting Charity organizations, helping
those in need is witnessing to Christ in the manner of the Good Samaritan who
came to the rescue of the man who had fallen victim to thieves.
Every step that we take, everything that we
do, every word that we say has the potential to bear witness to Christ. Thus
putting our best effort in whatever we do, big or small, at home or away from
home, whether we are travelling here or abroad, is witnessing to Christ. Christians are not isolated from the rest of the world, do not live in a city, travel on special roads reserved for Christians nor are there designated buses,
trains, etc. for Christians. There are no special cars designed only for
Christians. None of these things distinguishes a Christian from the rest of
society. Christians are immersed in the world for
a reason: bear witness to Christ through what they do and say. It is the
witnessing to Christ that distinguishes a Christian from the lot in society.
But we cannot witness on our own power. It is
the power of the Holy Spirit that came at Pentecost, that you must rely on.
Therefore, call on the Holy Spirit at all times to empower you, through all
that you do and say, to be witnesses of Christ to the ends of the earth.
