[stephenkhoo]

JOYS AND SORROWS MUST BE RECEIVED WITH GLADNESS AND FORTITUDE THROUGH THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OUR CONSOLER
SCRIPTURE READINGS: ACTS 16:11-15; JOHN 15:26-16:4
http://www.universalis.com/20140526mass.htm

As the feast of Ascension and Pentecost draw near, the liturgy focuses on the theme of witnessing. As the forty days of Jesus’ appearance to His disciples were coming to a close, they would then be sent forth as His witnesses to the resurrection. We too are called to be witnesses to Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.


Sometimes we meet with great joy and success as Paul and Luke experienced in their mission at Philippi, a Roman colony and the principal city of that particular district of Macedonia. They were fortunate to have an attentive audience comprised mostly of devout women who were open to the Good News. We read that, “One of these women was called … who was in the purple-dye trade.” She listened “and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying.” After “she and her household had been baptised she sent us an invitation: ‘If you really think me a true believer in the Lord,’ she said ‘come and stay with us’; and she would take no refusal.” Indeed, St Paul must have felt consoled that he was not rejected but instead, was given a warm welcome. Such is the joy of the apostolate and our witnessing as the laity.


Indeed, in many instances, being a witness of Jesus by living a life of love and service, we bring joy and happiness to others. But we must also be realistic. Even doing good may get us into trouble at times. We can cause jealousy and misunderstanding. Quite often, we are misunderstood for our intentions.


Indeed, being a witness of Jesus is not always easy. But perhaps, the most difficult part of Christian witnessing is not being unappreciated, but in trying to be faithful to the gospel, to live the truth in our lives. As Christians, we are required to stand up for what we believe in. Quite often, we feel the need to compromise the truth. Sometimes, our superiors would even tell us to lie and to engage in falsehood. As subordinates, we are often caught in a dilemma. Perhaps, they could be our friends whom we empathize with. When they do something wrong, we try to protect and shelter them. We are in many ways accomplices to falsehood in the world.


Not only do we find it so difficult to live the truth of the gospel, it is even more difficult to proclaim the truth at all times. Quite in the face of injustice, sin and evil, we choose to keep quiet, to play safe, or not to rock the boat, pretending that nothing is wrong. By faking ignorance as if it is not our responsibility, we are perpetuating the sin of those who are committing it. That is why the work of a leader is a thankless task – it is difficult to correct those who need corrections. Most people do not wish to be corrected because as the gospel says, they think they know what they are doing.


What is the real reason for not speaking the truth? Simply, because we are afraid! We are afraid to lose our jobs, to lose the support of our superiors and our friends. We want to be in good relationships with everyone but quite often at the expense of our conscience and infidelity to the truth. We put our self-interests before Christ and the truth. By so doing, we neither have real love for Jesus nor for others because in the final analysis, we do what is safe.


Speaking the truth will entail persecution, hostility and opposition. No one wants to hear the truth. No one wants to be corrected because most people think they are right or they do not want to change because their interests are at stake.


So we must not be surprised that sufferings, trials and rejections are part and parcel of the ministry. This must be said, if not, many of us, lay or religious often enter into the ministry and live it with much resentment, bitterness and regrets. Yes, Jesus pre-warned His disciples, “I have told you all this, so that when the time for it comes you may remember that I told you.” Yes, if we are not ready for the suffering that comes with the ministry because of the lack of truth in our lives or because we know the truth too clearly, then we are deluding ourselves. More tragic is that many of us who serve in the Church have become so bitter and wounded because of our leaders or fellow members, and we become skeptical and negative in the ministry. When that happens, it is a sign that we have failed to count the cost of discipleship and being a witness of the gospel.


In the face of such a prospect, we must inquire how we can remain firm in proclaiming the truth without fear or favour. Firstly, we need to be with Jesus. We need to know Him and what He stands for. Jesus told His disciples, “And you too will be witnesses, because you have been with me from the outset.” To be with Jesus is to listen to the Word with an open heart and welcome the Word in our hearts so that Jesus can dwell in us. Unless we know Jesus, we are not ready to stand with Him.


Most of all, we need the assistance of the Holy Spirit, without which, nothing is possible. The Holy Spirit who is the common Spirit of the Father and the Son will help us to know them. By knowing the love of the Father and the Son, we will be able to carry out His will. Indeed, quite often, people are ignorant in their sins, ignorant about their views as well. Indeed, Jesus said, “They will do these things because they have never known either the Father or myself.” So, in order to proclaim the truth clearly, we must be immersed in the truth ourselves. We need the Holy Spirit to enlighten us in the truth. But most of all, we need His love, for as the prayer of St Ignatius says, even if the Lord can take away all our memory, will, intelligence and whatever we own, to have His love and grace is enough for us to carry on. No wonder, the Holy Spirit is called our Advocate and Consoler.


In the final analysis, the Holy Spirit is the real witness of Jesus. This was what Jesus taught, “When the Advocate comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father, he will be my witness.” Our task is to allow the Holy Spirit to act in us, by enlightening us, filling us with the love of the Trinity and empowering us to proclaim and act courageously in the name of Jesus.

Written by The Most Rev William Goh