Witness

Inquiries by Government are often harrowing to watch; the Commission of Inquiry into the Ruby Princess affair being a prime example. At inquiries, witnesses are often grilled by specialist barristers about events until they testify through tears of remorse.

A Christian witness does not speak of events, but rather bears ‘witness’ to a person - the person of Jesus Christ. In Luke’s Acts of the Apostles, in John’s Book of Revelation and in Paul’s Letters we learn about Christian witness. Paul tells us how from a persecutor of Christ, he became a witness for Christ. Indeed, the strength of his witness drove him to work unceasingly to proclaim Christ.

The truth of the early Christian witness became even more evident when they were persecuted or condemned to be executed, joyfully approaching death rather than denying Christ. They were called ‘martyr’- a transliteration of the Greek word ‘witness’. The power of the Holy Spirit enabled such witness, even in the face of a terrible earthly end. Today, and in recent times, Christians in Africa and the Middle East are still martyred because of their witness to this divine person.

In a secular but law-abiding country like Australia, martyrdom is impossible. However, we are always called to witness. Just as the early Christians stood out to the Romans in the way they loved each other, we are called to stand out in the way we love our fellow teachers and certainly our students. We are called to live good lives and be proud to proclaim Jesus as Lord.

Sometimes we find this hard, even amongst friends and family. Will I say Grace at the meal? Will I tell people I can’t be somewhere because I’ll be at Mass? Can I tell friends that God loves me (and them too!)? Will I always forgive? In moments like these the Holy Spirit is there to give us courage. And we shouldn’t worry either, especially in our witnessing to students. As Pope Francis says ‘Jesus is already waiting in their hearts for us’.

Gary Reen

Assistant Director, SEACS