CHRIST’S WITNESSES IN A TURBULENT WORLD: A REFLECTIVE APPROACH BY REV. FR. DANIEL EVBOTOKHAI ON THE OCCASION OF THE ONE DAY LECTURE IN VIEW OF THE WORLD MISSION SUNDAY 2022 AT THE SEMINARY OF ALL SAINTS, UHIELE EKPOMA 17TH OCTOBER 2022.
The topic “Christ’s witnesses in a turbulent world” is simply a further expression or personification of Pope Francis’s message for the World Mission Sunday titled “You shall be my witnesses”. A turbulent world is one that is full of chaos, confusion, disorder and change. We are currently seeing widespread unrest, political instability, economic decline, religious violence, spiritual drought, evangelical deficiencies, careless consumption, reckless fashion, quick gains and more. The world today leaves us with a group of people especially young minds that are directionless, easily tossed about by the winds of change and the tide of time. There are people who want to vibe with trends whether it is thrilling or killing. We see vibrant men whose lives have grown boring and have lost the drive of purpose. In our cities and villages we witness baptized Christians that have become temples to immorality, laxity, drug abuse, criminal activity, prostitution, deviant sexual behavior and unethical or abominable conducts. Bearing witness in the face of this disorder has almost become a herculean task like the Hercules labour of defeating Hydra and retrieving Cerberus from the underworld without dying.
The Pope’s message for the 2022 World Mission Day, which will be observed on Sunday, October 23, with the theme “You shall be my witnesses” serves as the background for this paper. The theme alludes to the final exchange between Jesus and his followers before he ascended to heaven “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth” (Acts1:8). The Pope continues by dissecting this verse into three constituent pieces to illustrate the motives, objectives, and strategies of each missionary.
THE FIRST PART: “YOU SHALL BE MY WITNESSES”. Pope Francis underscores the relationship between every missionary and Christ; the collective and ecclesia character of mission and the coherence between the message and the life. Pope Francis referred to the words of Paul VI saying; “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” So we are not to simply carry out the message but to live out the message.
This brings us to the life of the preacher. Rom. 10:14 asks “…how shall they believe without a preacher?” This means that preachers guarantee to a great extent the rise of believers. If there is no preacher there will be no believer. Therefore, we must preach for people to believe. But then, this preaching implies living a holy life and doing the will of God. This preaching goes beyond the message on the pulpit to life in the street; in the remote and dirty villages, in the homes of the rich, aged, sick, destitute and lonely. It is a question of life style. There are many preachers today; on the social media and in churches. In fact, there are already too many homilies flying on the pages of WhatsApp, Facebook and YouTube. People are bored with our long messages and fine words; they are obviously waiting to see a holy life; a holy priest and a holy pastor.
Pope Francis underscores the witness of Saints Peter and Paul during the Angelus on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul 2021; he notes that both saints remind us that “God is not to be demonstrated, but shown; not announced with proclamations but shown by example.” Pope Francis adds that “Witnesses do not lose themselves in words, but rather they bear fruit… they do not complain about others and the world, but they start with themselves.” Therefore, rather than being anxious over the world’s disorder let us strive to purge ourselves of our many vices.
A witness provides testimonial evidence of what they know. It is so sad to remark that many of us do not know biblical stories; let alone have the true knowledge of God. Though we go through formation, we are probably ordained without an encounter with the Divine. We speak head knowledge; follow the routine; so liturgically conscious but in pretense and faithlessness. Bear in mind the evidence(s) of a witness are not the expensive chasubles, vessels, cars, shoes, but a holy life. If you like speak the best English and sing with the finest voice; the people know who you are in truth just as God knows you beyond your drama. Be a good example to others.
THE SECOND PART: “TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH”. Here, the Holy Father emphasizes the centrifugal geographical expansion of the mission, beginning with Jerusalem, which Jewish tradition considered to be the centre of the world, to Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. The term centrifugal as against centripetal relates the intrinsic goal of mission better. Mission is the gospel in motion; it moves away from its place of origin not just revolving round a particular axis or globe. By this analogy the Holy Father brings out the universal character of mission – going forth.
Mission should not just be centered on the Cathedral and juicy parishes only but to the ends of the Dioceses or Archdioceses. Wherever the people exist there should be evangelization and outreach. Oftentimes you hear things like I have been posted to a far place; mission is not about personal comfort but martyrdom; those who can readily give up something for God. We enjoy the episodes of the Martyrs but we are never ready to die in little things; we are not even ready to sacrifice our time, our environment and comfort. How can we then offer our lives to God?
We are reminded to go beyond the centre. Many ministers delight in building seating capacity when the missionary capacity of their church is suffering. They delight in preaching the gospel in the city but with little or no regard for souls in the villages. An author once said that the greatness of a church is not in its seating capacity but sending capacity. If we don’t send the Church may end. We may build capacity but if we don’t go out for souls our capacity Church building would be turned into a disco hall with time. Let us wake up and fulfill the divine mandate.
Again, Pope Francis emphasizes that the ends of the earth do not only refer to physical location but also to new geographical, social, and existential horizons that pertain to regions and human situations where Christ’s love for people of all races, cultures, and social classes should be testified. So, we are to evangelize organizations and firms; political parties; religious bodies; traditional customs and practices. What has the gospel done to the traditional rite of widows? How is the gospel speaking to our traditional festivals and their concomitant abuses against human life?
THE THIRD PART: “YOU WILL RECEIVE THE STRENGTH FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT” In this discourse Pope Francis emphasis that strength comes from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the protagonist of the mission, he provided the first disciples who were weak, fearful, and closed, with power, courage, and wisdom. Evangelii Nuntiandi 75 notes that:
“Evangelization will never be possible without the action of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit descends on Jesus of Nazareth at the moment of His baptism when the voice of the Father- “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased”- manifests in an external way the election of Jesus and His mission. Jesus is “led by the Spirit” to experience in the desert the decisive combat and the supreme test before beginning this mission. It is “in the power of the Spirit” that He returns to Galilee and begins His preaching at Nazareth… To the disciples whom He was about to send forth He says, breathing on them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” In fact, it is only after the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost that the apostles departed to all the ends of the earth in order to begin the great work of the Church’s evangelization.”
Without the Holy Spirit no one can actually bear witness to God. This Holy Spirit Pope Francis says is seen in the contributive roles of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the Work of the Propagation of the Faith, the Society of the Holy Childhood, and the Society of St. Paul the Apostle. By providence, these groups mark significant anniversaries this year 2022. On our part we must resolve to foster this mission of the Church authentic witnessing.
HOW TO WITNESS IN A TURBULENT WORLD
- Live a righteous life: To be an effective witness in this generation we must live right. Our behaviour must reflect the gospel message we preach. Avoid inconsistencies at all costs. Practice modesty and decency in your appearance, words, and behavior. “Keep the love of money out of your lives, and be happy with what you have…” (Hebrews 13:5). In a world where fashion has become very irregular; money rituals celebrated; girls going braless; boys with increasing piercing and deadlocks; people are waiting to see what shall be the profit of a holy man. For them, if it is not making money it is not making sense. To be a witness is a great challenge. Our hope lies in proper conduct. Like never before; missionaries are to dress well; we are to keep proper hair cut; we now have to discern designers; before we buy and wear them.
- Keep Good Company: We must work with willing spirits to sustain the way of the Lord. If your friends are not ready to grow and you keep them as friends you will not grow. The company you keep affects your ability to testify effectively. The Bible says, “Be not deceived, evil communications corrupt good manners” (1Cor.15:33). This does not suggest isolation; you can honor and communicate with everyone with respect and love, but there must be a limit!
- Love your enemies. Do not return wrongdoing for wrongdoing or insult for insult; on the contrary, bless, for this is what you were called to (1 Pet. 3:9). This may sound difficult but that is exactly what we are called to do. Matthew 5:43-44 says; “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” The best approach to emulate Christ is to be kind to others even when they have wronged you. As Christians forgiveness is our business. If we cannot forgive then we betray Christ.
- Be Compassionate: Luke 6:36 says “You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” Be kind and compassionate to one another, and extend forgiveness to one another just as Christ did. Join in the celebrations of others and lament the losses of others. Compassion is the opposite of cruelty; taking pleasure in the suffering of others and of egoism being aloof to that suffering. If we must bear witness in this generation our compassion should be genuine not fake. Giving up your seat to a pregnant woman, being polite to labourers, assisting friends, and taking a moment to listen to people are all good examples of how to be compassionate. Above all, love one another earnestly. (1 Pet. 4:8–10)
- Pray: You generate power when you pray. If you don’t pray, you cannot witness effectively. The apostles of old were able to serve effectively because they prayed. Acts 4:31 says; “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” We hear God’s word often nowadays. But only a few would readily cultivate a life of prayer. We have long prayers points but short prayer life. Prayer is not just to cast and bind but a place to cultivate and internalize holy qualities. Prayer provides the channel to communicate with God and receive supernatural strength and power.
- Study: There can be no witnessing outside God. Prov. 4:20-21 admonishes us to study and live by the word. The Bible is our rule and guide; at funeral we are reminded; but during our life time we hardly would build an intimate relationship with it. Earthly life is filled with distractions. We need knowledge of his word to cause transformation. Prov. 19:2 says it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge; Dan.11:32 says; “…they who know their God shall do exploit.” This implies that if you don’t know your God you shall be exploited. Many Christians are exploited today because they don’t know their God; Job 36:26 says; “God is great and will know him not and the number of his years is not searched out.” and 2Tim.2:15 adds “…study to show yourself approved.”
- Be ready for opposition: True witnesses must be ready for opposition and must learn how to respond to it. When Peter responded in anger Jesus corrected him. Years later, when he had undergone formation he wrote “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you (1 Pet. 4:12). All those who seek to live a virtuous life in Christ Jesus will face persecution, according to Paul, “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). In the same way, Jesus reminds us, “They persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt. 5:12). Even the saints and martyrs had their own share of it and even offered their lives for it. They witnessed by their blood! You will be ridiculed, mocked and even disgraced but don’t give up; by your endurance you shall win your live (Luke 21:19)
- Repent when needed: 1 Pet. 4:15 “But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Sometimes Christians are not respected because we are not respectable. Sometimes those who accuse us of hypocrisy are correct. Compared to us, our friends can readily perceive our failings. If someone confronts you about being rude, gossipy or arrogant, don’t see it as persecution; instead, accept responsibility for your actions and make amends. You would make a greater witness if you are genuine and humble. This brings us to clericalism – the feeling that the priest is always right and superior in all matters. In his homily on 13 December 2016, Pope Francis said; clericalism is really an awful and evil thing; lording it over others; the poor and the humble people who await the Lord. To be a true witness therefore, we must resist pride and arrogance.
- Make disciples of all nations: The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 instructs us to “make disciples,” “go” “baptize,” and “teach”. How do we go about making disciples? By baptizing and teaching them all that Jesus commanded. This Great Commission is frequently interpreted to include Acts 1:8 as well: The Holy Spirit empowers us to fulfill this mandate through active work of evangelization. To witness in a turbulent world we must go out and preach; speak to people about Christ and make him known and loveable.
Summarily, Christ says in John 16:33 “…In the world you will have tribulations. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” Since time past tribulation or turbulence has been there, the patriarchs, Apostles and saints contended with these tensions and came out victoriously. We are therefore charged to face the reality before us with renewed missionary zeal owing to the fact that the mission of Christ which is entrusted to the Church, is still very far from completion. The reality shows that mission is still only beginning and as such we must commit ourselves wholeheartedly to its service by authentic witnessing. Each and every one of us should say like St. Paul “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” (1 Cor 9: 16). Therefore, let us go into the turbulent world with courage making disciples of all nations.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for World Mission Day 2022
Evangelii Nuntiandi: Apostolic Exhortation of His Holiness Pope Paul VI, 8 December 1975
Pacem in Terris: Encyclical of Pope John XXIII April 11, 1963
Populorum Progressio: Encyclical of Pope Paul VI March 26, 1967
Redemptoris Missio; Encyclical of Pope John Paul II 7 December 1990.
Roswith Gerloff, Afe Adogame, Klaus Hock, Christianity in Africa and the African Diaspora: The Appropriation of a Scattered Heritage, A&C Black, UK, 2011
George Thomas Kurian, James D. Smith III, The Encyclopedia of Christian Literature, Volume 2, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2010
