Jesus gives testimony in this Sunday’s Gospel to the courage needed by disciples. He speaks of our need for courage in times of trial. We especially need courage in times of violence, the violence that surround us and awaits us. We will need to give testimony to courage in the simplest and in the most profound moments of our lives. Gathering people into communion as Jesus did will be opposed by those who would manipulate us for divisions. Loving our enemies as Jesus modeled will be fought against by people and groups who gain from the enemy designation. Bringing a creative healing power to conflict, as Jesus did, will be responded to with death and destruction by those who claim violence is our salvation. These things will be done to we who learn from and follow Jesus as they were done to Jesus. Courage is unavoidable when one decides for discipleship in Christ.
Those who divide, hate, and do violence live lives that are less of testimony and more of accusation. It is the standard operating procedure of the military. It is an organization steeped in fear, enemy making, and death. The organization arranges for what Jesus describes in today’s Gospel as “wars and insurrections,” for “nations to fight nations,” for “imprisonment and for persecution.” In that crucible is the disciple’s testimony, a testimony of love. Testimony was the original meaning of the word martyr. A martyr gives testimony, but not only in death. More importantly, a martyr gives testimony in life, as Jesus did. Jesus lets us know that our life’s testimony as disciples is not something that we can always arrange or control. Our life, our testimony, is sometimes given to us, in a moment, in a series of moments, across years. Our life testimony is given to us in moments of division spawned and we stand up for communion; in experiences of someone breeding hate and we sow love; in contact with someone exercising violence and we act for healing. Our testimony is our courage but not ours alone. In Christ we rely not on ourselves alone, not on our egos, nor on our plans. We rely on one another. Ultimately, together, we rely on the courageous Spirit of Christ.
The time for our testimony as disciples is always now, in this moment, in every moment.
Prayer: Spirit of Courage, may my life and my voice give witness to you.
Question: What is the conflict surrounding me or awaiting me that needs my courageous testimony?
November 17, 2013 Gospel Luke 21:5-19 Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time