It is our turn to bear witness… Easter 3rd Sunday, April 14, 2024

I am a little hesitant to write this text the way I feel, but I cannot do otherwise. So, I must take my truth into account.

For the past two weeks, we have been talking about the Risen One and His greeting: “Peace be with you.” Every time I read these words, I experience great joy. It is very beautiful that the Jewish people have kept this wish in their way of saying hello.

But, today, I am moved by these words from the end of the Gospel of Luke: “You are witnesses of these things.” This is a project for life.

In the first reading, we see that Peter and John were able to perform miracles as witnesses of the Risen Christ. ‌It is thanks to their words that the Christian faith has spread across the world, over the centuries, to us today. And, now, it is our turn to bear witness as instructed by the Risen One. How does this command resonate within us? Dom Hélder Câmara said: “Remember that, for many, the only page of the gospel that they will read will be the testimony of your life. ”

We might still subscribe to the idea that being witnesses to the Gospel is a matter for consecrated people, priests, religious men and women, missionaries. Yet, the apostles and other disciples were ordinary people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not specialists in religion or spirituality. Don’t get me wrong: I have nothing, absolutely nothing, against people in consecrated life. That would be stupid of me.

These are some of the witnesses of Jesus in 2024: Véro and Louis Morissette who used their great wealth to open homes for autistic people; people who dedicate themselves to relieve human suffering; and the countless volunteers in parishes. Since yesterday, we can also add Jacob Flickinger to the list. Born in Beauce, Jacob went to help starving people in the Middle East. This father of a young child was killed there.

Let us continue to think that, like the disciples, we too can bear witness to the Risen One. What a beautiful vocation! Even if some people believe that our Church is crumbling, this is not at all true. We have a calling, today, to follow Christ the Risen One, He who died but who is more alive than ever for people of all ages. I would even say he is most alive with the young, more and more of whom wish to be baptized and follow Jesus. Good luck on this path that is not always easy but is always rewarding because it leads to God the Saviour, a God of Mercy who will, one day, be with us for all eternity.