Word to the Wise
Monday, May 27, 2019 - 6th Week of Easter - Mon
[Acts 16:11-15 and John 15:26-16:4a]"When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify because you have been with me from the beginning. I have told you this so that you may not fall away." [John]
Our word "martyr" comes from the Greek word meaning a witness. In today's passage from the Last Supper discourses in the Gospel According to John, Jesus flatly warns the disciples (and us) that persecution, even martyrdom, will happen because of our proclamation of him as the one whom God has sent. It is not just interior faith that will cause this. It is a lived and proclaimed faith.
Sometimes the persecution is not from those who do not believe in Jesus. It may be the scandalous conduct of other "believers," which shakes our confidence in Jesus' presence in our midst, especially when that conduct comes from those who claim to act in Jesus' person. The "Spirit of truth," whom Jesus promised (and still promises) can help us stay focused on our faith and help us to push aside those who betray our confidence. No matter how we die, we are called to be witnesses both to those who do not believe and to those who have fallen away, and to strengthen our brothers and sisters who are struggling with us. AMEN