A new way of seeing things
My model of Christian witnessing is St. Peter who after receiving the Holy Spirit, courageously and convincingly proclaimed Jesus Christ. There are no rhetorical strategies whatsoever. He simply spoke from the heart. But he spoke of Jesus whom he has seen and heard.
When the people asked, "What must we do to be saved?" Peter said, "Repent and believe in the Lord Jesus." At that moment 3,000 was added to their number. (Acts 2)
The first reading is a continuation of this story. The people, now called "Christians" live with one heart and mind, they share their resources, they share the meal and the Word. And they sold everything they had to support the others in the community.
The Easter story now proceeds with Jesus appearing before the apostles in the upper room. But Thomas was not with them. The second time around, he touched Jesus' wounds and made a solemn proclamation, "My Lord and my God!"
There are two points we can learn here. First, in the world of faith, of "new way of seeing the Lord", Jesus empowers us to do His work on earth. Now we can forgive in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Secondly, Jesus reminds us, "Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe." This refers to the countless generations of Christians who may not have seen Jesus, but reflect Jesus in their daily lives, in their relationship with other Christians, in their dedication to the poor, in their love for God's word.
Let us reflect if our lives become living representations of the resurrected Jesus in today's times.
copyright(c) 2012, Fr. Joselito I. Jopson
All rights reserved.
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