FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
THE WAY FORWARD IN CHRIST
(Part 202)
WITNESSES OF JESUS – 10
April 14, 2021
Today’s readings:
Acts 5:17-26
Psalm 34:2-9
John 3:16-21
Why is witnessing to Jesus so important? Because sharing Christ leads to someone meeting Christ and hopefully then living Christ. It is all about conversion, which is all about salvation, as God’s intent is “that the world might be saved through him.” (Jn 3:17b). Hearing the gospel affords one the opportunity to believe in Jesus, so “that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (Jn 3:16b).
The opposite of salvation is condemnation. What determines which one happens to a person? It is whether one believes in Jesus or not. “Whoever believes in him will not be condemned” (Jn 3:18a). How about if one just becomes a good person, without putting his faith in Jesus? This is not sufficient, as “whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (Jn 3:18b).
It is a choice of being in the light or remaining in darkness. We were born in the darkness of original sin. This is washed away by Baptism, by means of the faith expressed for us by our godparents. As we grow into adulthood, we then make our own profession of faith. Oftentimes, as we have lived lives of sin, it is necessary to be renewed from above, and have the adult experience of baptism in the Spirit.
Those who have put their faith in Christ, who are living Christ, then have to share Christ. They are to be light to the Gentiles, so as to be instruments of salvation for all others. Unfortunately, Jesus “the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.” (Jn 3:19). Today, many people are in darkness. This includes so-called Christians who should live in the light but do not. Many are supportive of the culture of DEATH.
More unfortunately and very tragically, those who live in sin have emerged from the darkness and moved into the light, not spiritually, but in their openly and publicly flouting their wrongdoing to the world.
- Catholics claim to be devout and even receive Holy Communion when they are all-out in support of abortion and LGBT.
- Catholic priests accept and even advance homosexuality.
- Bishops bless same-sex unions.
- Nuns are supportive of transgenders.
- Satanists are out in the open, and satanic items are openly marketed by Amazon, Walmart, Target, Barnes & Noble, and other mass retailers.
How ironic. Deeds of darkness are being displayed openly and even celebrated. It used to be that “everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.” (Jn 3:20). Today, wicked things have become common to many Christians and even supported by clerics and religious, including some in the Church hierarchy. It is like the time when “the high priest rose up and all his companions …. laid hands upon the apostles and put them in the public jail.” (Acts 5:17-18). The evil one has not only wrested dominion over the world from God, but has also redefined what is considered light, even in the Church.
What are we to do? We must obey Jesus’ command to be light to the world and instruments of salvation. We must try to recover not only God’s dominion in the world but also define what is true light. This is by way of our holy lives and our divine work, as “whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.” (Jn 3:21).
Then we simply trust in God for deliverance. We know that “blessed is the stalwart one who takes refuge in him.” (Ps 34:9b). God sent His angel to miraculously free the apostles from jail. “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he saves them.” (Ps 34:8). We do God’s work; He provides what we need. In our weakness and shortcomings, we turn to Him. “This poor one cried out and the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him.” (Ps 34:7).
Then we go off to witness to Jesus. As Jesus commanded us, as the angel of the Lord reminds us, “Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life.” (Acts 5:20).
