A number of years ago I was serving on jury duty. An individual was accused of a very serious crime. We the jury were to decide if this individual was guilty or innocent. The way to get to the truth of the accusation relied heavily upon “eyewitnesses.” An eyewitness is invaluable to getting at the truth because they were actually present at the event.
Just before the ascension of Jesus, He calls his disciples to be “His witnesses”...to the ends of the earth. Christianity has indeed spread to the ends of the earth. This remarkable growth from a few simple followers to a global faith has been in a large part due to witnesses. Christians for centuries have continued this simple but powerful way of sharing about Jesus.
Why would this tradition of witnessing be so well-received over the years? I would propose that these present-day witnesses continue to share, not only about the Jesus of history, but also about the Jesus who is still alive and working in their lives!
This passage from First John captures the spirit of a Christian witness beautifully. What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
To be His Witnesses is the core of how the Brothers share the love of Christ and His Church with students and young adults. We share what we have seen and heard and touched!
Our students and young adults meet the living, real Jesus themselves and then become witnesses to their friends, family and classmates.
May 2023 be a powerful year of witnessing to the ends of the earth.
God Bless,
Br. Kenneth Apuzzo, BH
General Superior