Wednesday, 29 April 2020

HOW TO EVANGELIZE?

20200430 HOW TO EVANGELIZE?

30 April, 2020, Thursday, 3rd Week of Easter

Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: White.

First reading

Acts 8:26-40 ©

Philip baptizes a eunuch

The angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, ‘Be ready to set out at noon along the road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza, the desert road.’ So he set off on his journey. Now it happened that an Ethiopian had been on pilgrimage to Jerusalem; he was a eunuch and an officer at the court of the kandake, or queen, of Ethiopia, and was in fact her chief treasurer. He was now on his way home; and as he sat in his chariot he was reading the prophet Isaiah. The Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go up and meet that chariot.’ When Philip ran up, he heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ ‘How can I’ he replied ‘unless I have someone to guide me?’ So he invited Philip to get in and sit by his side. Now the passage of scripture he was reading was this:

Like a sheep that is led to the slaughter-house,

like a lamb that is dumb in front of its shearers,

like these he never opens his mouth.

He has been humiliated and has no one to defend him.

Who will ever talk about his descendants,

since his life on earth has been cut short!

The eunuch turned to Philip and said, ‘Tell me, is the prophet referring to himself or someone else?’ Starting, therefore, with this text of scripture Philip proceeded to explain the Good News of Jesus to him.

Further along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘Look, there is some water here; is there anything to stop me being baptised?’ He ordered the chariot to stop, then Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water and Philip baptised him. But after they had come up out of the water again Philip was taken away by the Spirit of the Lord, and the eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. Philip found that he had reached Azotus and continued his journey proclaiming the Good News in every town as far as Caesarea.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 65(66):8-9,16-17,20 ©

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Alleluia!

O peoples, bless our God,

let the voice of his praise resound,

of the God who gave life to our souls

and kept our feet from stumbling.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Alleluia!

Come and hear, all who fear God.

I will tell what he did for my soul:

to him I cried aloud,

with high praise ready on my tongue.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Alleluia!

Blessed be God

who did not reject my prayer

nor withhold his love from me.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Alleluia!

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!

The Lord, who hung for us upon the tree,

has risen from the tomb.

Alleluia!

Or:

Jn6:51

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the living bread which has come down from heaven,

says the Lord.

Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.

Alleluia!

Gospel

John 6:44-51 ©

I am the living bread which has come down from heaven

Jesus said to the crowd:

‘No one can come to me

unless he is drawn by the Father who sent me,

and I will raise him up at the last day.

It is written in the prophets:

They will all be taught by God,

and to hear the teaching of the Father,

and learn from it,

is to come to me.

Not that anybody has seen the Father,

except the one who comes from God:

he has seen the Father.

I tell you most solemnly,

everybody who believes has eternal life.

‘I am the bread of life.

Your fathers ate the manna in the desert

and they are dead;

but this is the bread that comes down from heaven,

so that a man may eat it and not die.

I am the living bread which has come down from heaven.

Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever;

and the bread that I shall give is my flesh,

for the life of the world.’

HOW TO EVANGELIZE?

SCRIPTURE READINGS: [ Acts 8:26-40; Ps 66:8-9, 16-17, 20; Jn 6:44-51 ]

In the gospel, Jesus proclaimed Himself as the Bread of Life. “I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.” Jesus has come to offer us His Word and His Flesh so that we can find life. His Word is His Spirit and His Flesh is His Body. Both Word and Flesh is Jesus in His entirety, who came to give Himself to us. Enlightened by His Word and encountering Him in person, we are transformed by His presence. Only Jesus who has seen the Father can teach us who God is. “They will all be taught by God, and to hear the teaching of the Father, and learn from it, is to come to me. Not that anybody has seen the Father, except the one who comes from God: he has seen the Father.”

Jesus said, “I tell you most solemnly, everybody who believes has eternal life.” So how does one come to believe in Jesus? The truth is that faith in Jesus is primarily the work of grace. This is what the Lord said, “No one can come to me unless he is drawn by the Father who sent me, and I will raise him up at the last day.” We must be drawn by the Father and that depends on His grace. This explains why some people do not know the Lord. Many do not have the opportunity to meet Him or come to know about Him. Many are searching for the meaning and purpose of life. Unfortunately, the noise of the world silences the hunger of the heart. Conversion is really not the work of man but the work of God. But God’s grace comes through His messengers.

The process of evangelization must first begin with a messenger sent by God. St Paul asked. ^“But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Rom 10:14f) So we have Philip, the deacon, who was sent by the Holy Spirit to the Ethiopian to instruct him in the faith. All of us are called to be like Philip, to be evangelizers of the Good News. Unless someone announces the Good News, they will not be able to be here.

How can we be true and effective evangelizers? Firstly, we must use every occasion in life to speak about Jesus and to announce the Kerygma, His passion, death, and resurrection whenever the opportunity arises. We can be at the bus stop or on the bus or Mass Rapid Transit train, at our workplace, or in the mall. Anywhere and everywhere, any time is the right place and time to bear witness to the Lord. Of course, we must open our eyes and ears to see whether there is an opening for us to evangelize. Philip was such a person. He was attentive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. The angel spoke to Philip, “Be ready to set out at noon along the road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza, the desert road.” Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and meet that chariot.” At every step of his life, Philip was always docile and sensitive to the movements of the Spirit. Thus, he was able to seize every opportunity to evangelize. We too must be alert to the Spirit’s prompting.

Secondly, Philip took the initiative to offer assistance in a non-threatening manner. He asked the Ethiopian, “Do you understand what you are reading?” If we want to evangelize, we must take the first step to open the ears and hearts of our listeners. But we can do this only if we do not appear to be intrusive or aggressive but gentle in our approach. He struck a conversation with the Ethiopian. So too, to share the Good News, we must be humble and courageous to approach someone and begin the conversation. Philip did not force his kindness on the Ethiopian but waited to be invited. Indeed, “the Ethiopian “invited Philip to get in and sit by his side.” But we must show genuine interest in others.

Thirdly, Philip engaged him in a dialogue. He listened. The Eunuch shared the passage he was reading from the prophet Isaiah. “Like a sheep that is led to the slaughter-house, like a lamb that is done in front of its shearers, like these he never opens his mouth. He has been humiliated and has no one to defend him. Who will ever talk about his descendants, since his life on earth has been cut short!” And Philip listened attentively without interrupting. He was patient in listening. Only when he was again invited to speak, did he explain to the Court Official the meaning of the text. “The eunuch turned to Philip and said, ‘Tell me, is the prophet referring to himself or someone else?'” We must never be too quick to offer an answer until we are asked, so we don’t appear to be too presumptuous.

Fourthly, Philip shows us that proclamation of the Good News is simply making sense of life events for people. “Starting, therefore, with this text of scripture Philip proceeded to explain the Good News of Jesus to him.” We must use the scripture for the purpose of eliciting inspiration and connecting the events of daily life and in the world with how God is working His grace in the world. Proclaiming the Good News is more than just dishing out quotations from the bible but rather to cite the scriptures in such a way that could make sense for people who are seeking a fuller meaning in life. The Good News must truly be presented as good news to those who hear it. Connecting with the Word of God is the task of the preacher and the evangelizer. Otherwise, we are simply proselytizing, not enlightening.

Fifthly, the evangelizer must be self-effacing. He is not there to present himself or announce himself but Jesus. This is why the evangelizer must always be ready and humble enough to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Without His help and grace, there will be no true announcement of the Good News. Philip was available to the Holy Spirit. He was like John the Baptist. The latter said, “The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (Jn 3:29f) So when Philip had given the Good News to the Ethiopian Eunuch, he “was taken away by the Spirit of the Lord, and the eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. Philip found that he had reached Azotus and continued his journey proclaiming the Good News in every town.” It didn’t matter to Philip whether the Eunuch remembered him or not. Most likely, he would never meet him again. But what was more important was that the Eunuch found the Lord and spread the Good News in turn to others in his homeland. Philip was contented to have played his part in the transmission of the Good News. That the Ethiopian was filled with joy at knowing Jesus, was his reward. He did not need any recognition, praise and honour, unlike many of us when we claim to be working for God!

Yet, even if we have a great preacher, at the end of the day, the recipient must be cooperative to the grace of God. St Paul posited the problem of disbelief. “But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our message?’ But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for ‘Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.’ But of Israel he says, ‘All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.'” (Rom 10:16, 17, 18, 21) So it was because of pride and disobedience that they could not receive the good news.

Faith is once again a grace of God. This is always the starting point. “No one can come to me unless he is drawn by the Father who sent me.” But we must respond to God’s grace like the Ethiopian who was docile, humble and was sincerely searching for the truth. Without a docile heart, the grace of God would not force the Good News upon us. Of course, even the act of responding to the gospel is itself the grace of God. We need to be enlightened, to be touched and to be moved. Only God’s grace and His love can stir up that response from our hearts. His overwhelming love can transform Saul to Paul, sinners to saints. We too must, therefore, pray for the grace of conversion, not only for those not baptized but even for ourselves so that we will encounter the Lord’s love more deeply as we listen to His Word and receive Him in the Eucharist. Prayer is the way to receive His grace!

Tuesday, 28 April 2020

FINDING NEW OPPORTUNITIES

20200429 FINDING NEW OPPORTUNITIES

29 April, 2020, Wednesday, 3rd Week of Easter

First reading

Acts 8:1-8 ©

They went from place to place, preaching the Good News

That day a bitter persecution started against the church in Jerusalem, and everyone except the apostles fled to the country districts of Judaea and Samaria.

There were some devout people, however, who buried Stephen and made great mourning for him.

Saul then worked for the total destruction of the Church; he went from house to house arresting both men and women and sending them to prison.

Those who had escaped went from place to place preaching the Good News. One of them was Philip who went to a Samaritan town and proclaimed the Christ to them. The people united in welcoming the message Philip preached, either because they had heard of the miracles he worked or because they saw them for themselves. There were, for example, unclean spirits that came shrieking out of many who were possessed, and several paralytics and cripples were cured. As a result there was great rejoicing in that town.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 65(66):1-7 ©

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Alleluia!

Cry out with joy to God all the earth,

O sing to the glory of his name.

O render him glorious praise.

Say to God: ‘How tremendous your deeds!

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Alleluia!

Because of the greatness of your strength

your enemies cringe before you.

Before you all the earth shall bow;

shall sing to you, sing to your name!’

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Alleluia!

Come and see the works of God,

tremendous his deeds among men.

He turned the sea into dry land,

they passed through the river dry-shod.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Alleluia!

Let our joy then be in him;

he rules for ever by his might.

His eyes keep watch over the nations:

let rebels not rise against him.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Alleluia!

Gospel Acclamation

Jn10:27

Alleluia, alleluia!

The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice,

says the Lord,

I know them and they follow me.

Alleluia!

Or:

cf.Jn6:40

Alleluia, alleluia!

It is my Father’s will, says the Lord,

that whoever believes in the Son shall have eternal life,

and that I shall raise him up on the last day.

Alleluia!

Gospel

John 6:35-40 ©

It is my Father's will that whoever sees the Son should have eternal life

Jesus said to the crowd:

‘I am the bread of life.

He who comes to me will never be hungry;

he who believes in me will never thirst.

But, as I have told you,

you can see me and still you do not believe.

All that the Father gives me will come to me,

and whoever comes to me I shall not turn him away;

because I have come from heaven, not to do my own will,

but to do the will of the one who sent me.

Now the will of him who sent me

is that I should lose nothing of all that he has given to me,

and that I should raise it up on the last day.

Yes, it is my Father’s will

that whoever sees the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life,

and that I shall raise him up on the last day.’

FINDING NEW OPPORTUNITIES

SCRIPTURE READINGS: [ ACTS 8:1-8; PSALM 66:1-7; JOHN 6:35-40 ]

Most of us are creatures of habit. We do the same thing the same way most of the time. This happens in everyday life, whether at home, at work, or in church. We continue to do what we learnt from others and what was passed down to us. We do not find new ways to do better what we are doing. We are contented in repeating what others have done. The irony of life is that we change only when we are forced by circumstances. Otherwise, we tend to take things for granted and carry on doing what we do in a routine and perfunctory manner each day.

In the early Church, we see how the Church grew because they were never complacent. At any rate, they could not be complacent or mediocre in their faith because of the persecution. Quite often, our enemies and opponents keep us alert and ever watchful. So when the persecution intensified, we read “everyone except the apostles fled to the country districts of Judaea and Samaria.” Instead of staying back and allowing themselves to be arrested and even killed, they fled not out of fear but they saw it as an opportunity to spread the Good News beyond Jerusalem. The more Saul “worked for the total destruction of the Church”, the more the Church was forced to find new ways to keep the gospel alive. Indeed, we read that “those who had escaped went from place to place preaching the Good News.” There are a few lessons we can draw from this account.

Firstly, we do not see them as being reckless or seeking the call to martyrdom. Having faith in God does not mean that they had to offer their lives to their enemies and so attain the glory of martyrdom. This might be so for some but God wants us to use our reason and prudence to discern when we are called to die for God in faith and when we are called to witness to Christ by our life instead of by our death. We should not be looking for martyrdom. That would be pride and vanity. Rather, when the situation calls for us to sacrifice our life, then faith sometimes entails that we make that heroic sacrifice. Indeed, it is like the Covid-19 situation. Some Catholics think that suspending Masses implies that the Church is lacking faith in the power of the Eucharist and the power of Christ. This is certainly not the case. It would be irresponsible for us to continue with the Masses knowing that it might cause more to be infected by this virus. Faith in God does not go against the use of reason and prudence. To do so would be to put God to the test. However, if after taking all the necessary precautions, some of us are still infected, this is where faith is required. We need to trust in God that He would heal us and do the impossible for us. God comes to help us when we can no longer help ourselves.

Secondly, we read that the apostles stayed behind. Again, it was not cowardice that the others left and escaped, leaving the apostles behind to face their persecutors. It was important that the leaders stayed behind to give stability and confidence to those who could not escape and also to act as a center for the Christians to connect with the mother Church. Leaders must not leave their posts in times of crisis. It is important that leaders remain where they are, contactable because if the shepherd runs away the sheep will be scattered. In times of crisis, it is important that leaders make themselves felt and be present in spirit if not in body with those who are suffering or persecuted. Indeed, in a situation such as we are in now, it is also important that religious leaders continue to reach out to their flock using various means and ways to connect with them. The people want to know that their shepherd cares for them and is with them in this long and unpredictable journey. The worse scenario is when religious leaders during times of crisis also disappear from the scene, leaving the sheep without leaders to follow and take direction in their lives.

Thirdly, in times of crises, we must find new ways to evangelize. In the case of Philip, he took the initiative to go “to a Samaritan town and proclaimed the Christ to them.” For the disciples, there were no boundaries that prevented them from proclaiming the gospel. So long as there were listeners, they were willing to share about Jesus. We, too, during this time of the Covid-19 pandemic, are presented with new challenges in announcing the gospel, helping our people to continue to worship, and connecting with God in their lives. The old ways were then helpful but the new situation demands that we think out-of-the-box and find creative ways to reach out to the young, the old and those suffering. We must find new initiatives to reach out and proclaim the gospel and not allow the past to confine us from reaching out to our people. In fact, when they are locked in at home, we have more opportunities to gain their attention as they seek solace and inspiration. Surely, the blessings of God cannot be confined or restricted.

Fourthly, we must seek to proclaim the gospel in deed. The disciples did not only preach but demonstrated the power of the Risen Lord through miracles. “The people united in welcoming the message Philip preached, either because they had heard of the miracles he worked or because they saw them for themselves. There were, for example, unclean spirits that came shrieking out of many who were possessed, and several paralytics and cripples were cured. There was great rejoicing in that town as a result.” It is significant that there were many who were possessed in that town because many of the Jews intermarried with the pagans and also imported their pagan culture, beliefs and witchcrafts. When they saw the power of Jesus over these spirits, they began to believe in the name of the Lord.

So too, it is important to bear in mind that the gospel cannot be proclaimed by mere preaching alone. Words alone cannot change lives unless people experience the power of God concretely in their lives. No matter how powerful one’s preaching is unless he also ministers to the people in prayer, counselling and leading the people in worship, such words lack power. People must know that our Lord is God indeed. This also explains why the Church must also find new ways to serve the needs of our people. The traditional ways of serving the poor might be effective in those days. Life today is much more complicated and the needs are different. So even in serving the poor and relieving the suffering of people, we must be creative and find new ways to make the gospel present in their lives.

Finally, we take consolation that God wants us all to be saved. The Lord said, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I shall not turn him away. Now the will of him who sent me is that I should lose nothing of all that he has given to me, and that I should raise it up on the last day. Yes, it is my Father’s will that whoever sees the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and that I shall raise him up on the last day.” We must find all ways to lead people to know Jesus so that they can find life. It is God’s plan that all of us will find life through His Son.

Hence, we must continue to make Christ known and loved. We need to offer Jesus as the Bread of Life to the world. Many are hungry for truth and for love. But because of fake news, distorted information, many are misled by the persuasive arguments of the world and the illusions of happiness promised by the world. Yet, they know that the promises of the world cannot fulfill their hunger for truth and love. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst. But, as I have told you, you can see me and still you do not believe.” Only Jesus can give us the fullness of life. Doing the will of God is what gives us peace. Jesus said, “I have come from heaven, not to do my own will, but to do the will of the one who sent me.” So too for us Catholics, we have a duty to offer Jesus the Bread of Life to humanity. We must continue to proclaim the Good News in and out of season. We must not allow obstacles and challenges to hinder us from spreading the Good News. When we face oppositions and constraints, let us use them creatively as stepping stones for us to find new approaches in proclaiming Jesus.

Monday, 27 April 2020

THE GROUND OF FAITH

20200428 THE GROUND OF FAITH

Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: White.

First reading

'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit'

Stephen said to the people, the elders and the scribes: ‘You stubborn people, with your pagan hearts and pagan ears. You are always resisting the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Can you name a single prophet your ancestors never persecuted? In the past they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, and now you have become his betrayers, his murderers. You who had the Law brought to you by angels are the very ones who have not kept it.’

They were infuriated when they heard this, and ground their teeth at him.

But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. ‘I can see heaven thrown open’ he said ‘and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ At this all the members of the council shouted out and stopped their ears with their hands; then they all rushed at him, sent him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses put down their clothes at the feet of a young man called Saul. As they were stoning him, Stephen said in invocation, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and said aloud, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’; and with these words he fell asleep. Saul entirely approved of the killing.

Responsorial Psalm

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Alleluia!

Be a rock of refuge for me,

a mighty stronghold to save me,

for you are my rock, my stronghold.

For your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Alleluia!

Into your hands I commend my spirit.

It is you who will redeem me, Lord.

As for me, I trust in the Lord:

let me be glad and rejoice in your love.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Alleluia!

Let your face shine on your servant.

Save me in your love.

You hide them in the shelter of your presence

from the plotting of men.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Alleluia!

Gospel Acclamation

Jn10:14

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;

I know my own sheep and my own know me.

Alleluia!

Or:

Jn6:35

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the bread of life, says the Lord.

He who comes to me will never be hungry;

he who believes in me will never thirst.

Alleluia!

Gospel

It is my Father who gives you the bread from heaven

The people said to Jesus, ‘What sign will you give to show us that we should believe in you? What work will you do? Our fathers had manna to eat in the desert; as scripture says: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’

Jesus answered:

‘I tell you most solemnly,

it was not Moses who gave you bread from heaven,

it is my Father who gives you the bread from heaven,

the true bread;

for the bread of God

is that which comes down from heaven

and gives life to the world.’

‘Sir,’ they said ‘give us that bread always.’ Jesus answered:

‘I am the bread of life.

He who comes to me will never be hungry;

he who believes in me will never thirst.’

28 April, 2020, Tuesday, 3rd Week of Easter

THE GROUND OF FAITH

SCRIPTURE READINGS: [ ACTS 7:51 – 8:1; Ps 31:3-4, 6, 8, 17, 21; Jn 6:30-35 ]

Today, people are always asking for a sign to believe in Jesus. “The people said to Jesus: ‘What sign will you give to show us that we should believe in you? What work will you do? Our fathers had manna to eat in the desert; as scripture says: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” The Jews presumed that when the Messiah comes, he would repeat what Moses did, by giving them manna from heaven. And for this reason, they demanded that Jesus performed the same work that Moses did before they would believe in Him. Similarly, in the face of scandals and sins in the Church, especially among bishops, priests and religious, many have left the Church and given up their faith, and even in Christ, because of the counter-signs they see. It is difficult to maintain faith in the Church when we see the scandals taking place in the hierarchy of the Church itself.

That is why more than ever, the Church needs witnesses for Christ. St Stephen who is known as the proto-martyr of the Church demonstrates to us what it takes to be a witness. He was ready to testify for Christ even before the Sanhedrin and the religious leaders of the day. They were leaders who were intellectuals and supposedly knew the scriptures well. But just because one knows the doctrines and is even able to expound the faith, it does not mean that he has heard the Word of God with faith. This is the tragedy of priests and religious and lay religious leaders as well. Many of them live double lives. They teach one thing but they live their lives contrary to what they teach. We have become so used to sin that we are indifferent to the promptings of the Holy Spirit because our sins have numbed us to what is truth and love, and what is sacred and holy. Complacency and routine have consumed us.

This is because they did not listen to the Word of God with their hearts. Like the religious leaders during the time of St Stephen, they closed their ears to the truth because the truth was too painful to hear. They were not ready to confront the truth about themselves. “Stephen said to the people, the elders and the scribes: ‘You stubborn people, with your pagan hearts and pagan ears. You are always resisting the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Can you name a single prophet your ancestors never persecuted? In the past they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, and now you have become his betrayers, his murderers. You who had the Law brought to you by angels are the very ones who have not kept it.” We repeat the mistakes of our forefathers by being counter-witnesses to our faith. We cause our fellow Catholics, especially those who are weak in their faith, to lose that little faith they have left.

Today, we are called to be like St Stephen who was ready to stand up with conviction for his faith in Christ. He was ready to confront the people with the truth regardless of the consequences of his actions. He did not hesitate to say what needed to be said even if others did not want to hear. Many of us are not ready to speak the truth in this modern-day for fear of being attacked and discriminated. We are now the silent majority, allowing the minority to propagate falsehoods and worldly values. We suffer silent persecution from the world because we are afraid, unlike Stephen. Of course, St Stephen was not just a witness in words but in actions. He imitated the life of Christ and relived His passion in his own life. Indeed, like Jesus, he “gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God.” (cf Mt 26:64) Like our Lord, St Stephen also prayed for his enemies when he was dying, “As they were stoning him, Stephen said in invocation, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and said aloud, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’; and with these words, he fell asleep.” The life of St Stephen was a true witness to the life of Jesus. He had made the life of Jesus his own.

The true mark of Christ’s disciples is love, compassion and forgiveness of one’s enemies. This is what distinguishes a true religion from a false one. A Christian always suffers humbly and courageously for the truth without taking revenge. Like Christ, we take forgiveness seriously. St Peter wrote, “Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God.” (1 Pt 3:16-18)

We can do this only if we are filled with the Holy Spirit. We read that St Stephen was a true witness of Christ because he was “filled with the Holy Spirit.” We read earlier on that the whole community “chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 6:5) And that “Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.” (Acts 6:8) Furthermore, those who opposed him, “could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke” (Acts 6:10) Indeed, the words of Jesus became a reality in his life when the Lord told His disciples, “When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Mt 10:19f) St Stephen was able to be a good witness because he surrendered his life to the Holy Spirit. He allowed the Spirit to take charge of his life and all that he did and say.

The Spirit is given to us through our faith in Christ. This is why the Lord told the disciples. “I tell you most solemnly, it was not Moses who gave you bread from heaven, it is my Father who gives you the bread from heaven, the true bread; for the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Jesus is the Bread of life. When they asked, “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘give us that bread always.’ Jesus answered: ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst.'” As the bread of life, Jesus gives us the Word of God. He is the One who reveals to us the truth about life and love. He manifests to us the love and forgiveness of His Father. Feeding on the Word of God, we are inspired by Him, enlightened in the truth and guided by His Word, and have our faith strengthened.

Without reading the Word of God and contemplating the scriptures, we cannot expect to grow in faith. The problem with many of us is that we do not take the bread of life seriously. We think faith grows naturally by itself without a conscious determination to strengthen the relationship through prayer and contemplation. Many of us do not take care of our spiritual life. We want to do God’s work but we are using our own strength and our own wisdom, and worse still, importing the wisdom of the world and diluting the orthodoxy of the Catholic Faith. God can inspire us what to say and how to defend our faith only when we have become familiar with the Word of God. The disciples were able to proclaim their faith confidently because they spent time with Jesus, three full years before His death, and continued to meditate on His words and life throughout their ministry.

Most of all, the bread of life refers to the Eucharist, which is a celebration of His passion, death and resurrection. By celebrating the Eucharist, we celebrate the sacrificial offering of Christ for our salvation. The Eucharist as the Bread of life, therefore, is the means by which the Spirit of Christ is also given to us when we receive Him in Holy Communion. The more we are united with Jesus and the Church through the reception of the Eucharist, the more we become like Him. This is the key to be a true witness of our Lord, by being identified with Him in life and in death through our union with Him in Holy Communion. When we become like Jesus, we too can become His witnesses, like St Stephen, reflecting His life in ours. In this way we, too, like St Stephen, can become bread broken for others. This is the true meaning of Easter, sharing in Christ’s life, His death and resurrection. Our joy comes through our incorporation into His paschal mystery.