Word to the Wise
Monday, May 11, 2015 - 6th Week of Easter - Mon
[Acts 16:11-15 and John 15:26-16:4a]"They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God." [John]
Jesus' words today carry an impact because what he says is happening as we reflect on them. In the Middle East and Africa, especially, there are armies that believe their destruction is part of God's will! The Christian church has been guilty of this same sin in the past. In today's gospel passage (again from the Farewell Discourse at the Last Supper), Jesus is preparing the disciples for two events: the first is the coming of the Holy Spirit ("the Advocate") that will enable the disciples to bear witness to the truth. The second is to encourage them and warn them that they will face persecution. All four gospels were written when active persecution of the church was a possibility at any time, whether by religious or secular authorities.
We do not, at least in this country, live in fear of our lives because of our religious beliefs, although at one time that was a possibility (during the Knownothing anti-Catholic riots of the 1800's). But our brothers and sisters in the Middle East and Africa do live in this fear. Nevertheless, do we fear to "bear witness" when someone says or does something that insults or damages our faith and the Church? We have received the same Holy Spirit that Jesus sent to the disciples after his death and resurrection. Do we recognize the presence of this Spirit and take courage from it? In short, Jesus' words at the Last Supper speak not just to those at the table then, but to us now! AMEN