5 And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things which you see, the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
What is sign of destruction of Temple?
7 And they asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign when this is about to take place?”
Negative signs
8 And he said, “Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”
Positive signs
10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.
Disciples tested
13 This will be a time for you to bear testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will put to death; 17 you will be hated by all for my name’s sake.
Promise
18 But not a hair of your head will perish.19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
EXPLANATION
5 And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things which you see, the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
“And as some spoke of the temple” — Those speaking were probably the disciples to whom Jesus, in the Temple, spoke in Luke 20: 45 and following. Herod the Great re–built the Temple over forty–six years. The Temple, the only one in the world, was the third in Jewish history, successor to the second Temple, that of Ezra and Nehemiah, built after the return of Judah from captivity in Babylon. The Temple was the centre of Jewish religion and life.
Luke’s Gospel opens with Zechariah receiving the archangels’ message in the Temple concerning the conception of John the Baptist (Lk. 1: 5–25, 57–80). Jesus was presented to Simeon and Anna in the Temple (Lk. 2: 22–38). From age twelve years (Lk. 2: 41–50) he visited the Temple yearly. The current passage is his final message in the Temple (Lk. 21: 5–19) during which he prophecies the destruction of the Temple.
“how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings” — The “noble stones” were huge stones. The “offerings” would have been votive gifts given by the devout rich to adorn the Temple.
“he said, “As for these things which you see, the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” — When Luke wrote his Gospel (around A.D. 80 or 85), Jesus had already died, risen and ascended. The city and the Temple of Jerusalem were already destroyed in 70 A.D. Luke wanted to show that Jesus was a “prophet mighty in word and deed.”
Here Jesus is speaking of the destruction of only the Temple. Speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, he predicted that “they will not leave one stone upon another in you” (Lk. 19: 44). The prophecy here for the Temple is stronger as it speaks of “throwing down” or pulling down the stones. A reason for these strong terms is that the Temple had huge stones, some forty feet long, and the building appeared to be indestructible.
7 And they asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign when this is about to take place?”
“And they asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign when this is about to take place?” — Jesus does not answer the question as to the time of the destructions. He underlines that the end “will not be at once” (v. 9) and “that before all this…” (v. 12) other things will happen. Luke limits the request for signs to the destruction of the Temple and the city.
8 And he said, “Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”
“And he said, “Take heed that you are not led astray” — This is the second time that Luke has Jesus warn people about being deceived (Lk. 8: 18).
Jesus is approaching the end of his public ministry and he prepares his disciples. He gives two pieces of advice. Here in this verse he tells them to be prepared not to be led astray by the events which will shortly follow but to remain faithful to him. The second advice will follow in verse 9 when he will tell them “not to be terrified”; the end of the world is not close. Jerusalem and the Temple will be destroyed first and these will be signs or symbols of the end of the world.
“Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There it is!” For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.’ Then he said to the disciples, ‘The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. They will say to you, “Look there!” or “Look here!” Do not go, do not set off in pursuit’” (Lk. 17: 20–23).
“for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them” — Even when Jesus was preaching his public ministry, there were people who were using his name to drive out devils. Some claimed to be military messiahs who would drive out the Romans: Theudas and Judas the Galilean (Ac. 5: 33–39; 12: 45; 19: 11). All falsely claimed to be the Messiah and the “time” of deliverance from the Romans was at hand. That would not be the immediate end of the world.
“And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once” — The “end” to which Jesus refers in this context is the end of the city and the Temple.
10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.
“Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” — This is a prediction of the Jewish revolt against the Romans which began in 66 A.D.
Here Luke introduces signs of the destruction of the city and the Temple. Man’s total security was shaken. First, peace and harmony was destroyed by war. The earth was damaged by earthquakes. Famine and epidemics destroyed lives. The extraordinary signs in the heavens were the most disturbing and frightening. Luke does not list these events but they did occur as secular history testified.
“there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences” — These disasters are often given in the Bible as great sufferings and divine punishments. They can be understood symbolically.
“and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven” — The signs that Jesus had mentioned such as wars, earthquake, plagues, famines, awesome sights, mighty signs can be observed in every age. They indicate that the end is indeed coming, but they are no help in determining the day or the hour.
“But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake” — Jesus predicts that the disciples’ sufferings and persecutions will be like his own fate and will take place before the fall of Jerusalem. The Acts of the Apostles gives explicit references to these sufferings (Ac. 4: 1–3; 5: 18, 19; 8: 3; 9: 2; 9: 4; 12: 4; 16: 23; 22: 4; 26: 11).
“Kings and governors” — can refer to King Herod and Prefect (or governor) Pilate.
13 This will be a time for you to bear testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will put to death; 17 you will be hated by all for my name’s sake.
“This will be a time for you to bear testimony” — All these problems provide a wonderful opportunity to be witnesses to what God has done. Christians are called to give witness of the hope which animates them. This can be seen in the early Church fulfilled in Acts 3: 15; 4: 33; 5: 32; 20: 26; 26: 22.
“Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict” — Jesus calls on them to pay particular attention to this point. He will be with them in their trials and they are not depend on themselves or human wisdom but to depend on him for eloquence and understanding when questioned or opposed. This repeats “When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.” (Lk. 12: 11–12). A perfect fulfilment took place in Stephen’s trial (Ac. 6: 8 — 7: 60) where it is said that “they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke (Ac. 6: 10). Also “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.” (Ac. 4: 13–14).
“You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends” — Now we are told who will do the handing over of the disciples to persecution. They will be one’s closest and dearest, one’s family and intimate friends. Jesus will be betrayed by one of his disciples, Judas (Lk. 22: 3–6).
“and some of you they will put to death” — The apostle James was the first to be put to death (Ac. 12: 1–2).
“you will be hated by all for my name’s sake” — Luke’s final beatitude is “Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets” (Lk. 6: 22–23).
18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
“But not a hair of your head will perish” — The promise that no harm will come even to one hair seems strange in the prediction of persecution. It is simply a graphic way of saying that God will protect those who support him and endure persecution (See Lk. 12: 7; Ac. 27: 34; 1 Sam, 14: 45; 2 Sam. 14: 11; 1 Kgs. 1: 52).
The time of the Church is the time of persecution and so “By your endurance you will gain your lives” — By endurance in persecution people will be saved. “Endurance” does not necessarily imply definite death but certainly witness.
APPLICATION
Ordinary Sunday 33 is the second last Sunday in Liturgical Year C and in the Gospel Luke gives us part of Jesus’ final talk to his disciples. It is very important because of that. What he tells us here is what he wants us to remember in a very special manner.
Two words are central to this Gospel passage: “persecution” and “witness”. To be a disciple of Jesus is to expect persecution. St. Paul puts it very clearly and strongly, “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted” (II Tm. 3: 12). Jesus once said that if people hate and persecute him they would hate and persecute his disciples. Persecution is essential to discipleship. In the passage he gave an example of seven disasters that will come on the world. This, the perfect and complete number, was not meant to be exhaustive. He makes it clear that these do not herald the end of the world but they indicate what disciples should expect in their lives. Persecutions and calamities are meant to be times of trial to test disciples in their faith, hope and love. To faithfully persevere in these three virtues in all circumstances leads to eternal life.
We are very aware that the cross overshadows our lives, that it is inevitable and necessary and we are prepared to accept it. But when it comes in the form of persecutions that is generally a different story. This very week there were the following stories of persecution in the world around us. In Damascus a shell was fired deliberately on a Christian school and five children were killed with others injured. This was not the first time a school was targeted and children killed and injured. In North Vietnam eighty Christians were murdered, their only crime being that they had Bibles or catechetical CDs. This act was performed in a stadium in front of a full attendance of children forced to watch and be frightened. The list can continue.
What is the attitude of one in the face of persecution? The word given at the end of the Gospel passage is “endurance”. It is the word that can describe Jesus’ attitude in the face of his suffering and death and he is our model.
His first exhortation is to ask that his disciples remain faithful to him and keep their eyes fixed on him. As long as they remain focussed on him they will not be overcome with their own tribulations.
He prayed for his persecutors, “Father, forgive them.” He faced his future with courage in great hope. The disciple needs to have no worries about his own defence as he has been assured that Jesus and the Holy Spirit will give him an eloquence and a wisdom as to what to say. No one will be able to get the better of the disciple. The Acts of the Apostles gives many examples as to how that was fulfilled.
This is what we call “witness”, the second strong word in the passage. Witness means attesting to the reality of an event, a truth, which one believes in totally and passionately. That is why it is associated with ‘commitment’, the commitment of one’s life. Indeed, when witness means actual dying for one’s belief and commitment, it is called ‘martyrdom’, the highest form of witness.
We, wherever we live, are witnesses to our faith in that area. Our reaction to the persecution in Syria and elsewhere, to coming to the aid of our Philippine brothers and sisters in their devastation, to the distraught poor in our own country are but some of the signs of witness that we can give. We do these things not because we look for attention but because we are brothers and sisters to those who share with us creation by our creator; we are one with them. People look to us to see how Christ would react in a particular situation. As his witnesses let us not disappoint them in finding him.
Commentary on 33rd Sunday of the year C 13.11.2022
TEXT: Luke 21: 5-19
Prophecy about Temple
5 And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things which you see, the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
What is sign of destruction of Temple?
7 And they asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign when this is about to take place?”
Negative signs
8 And he said, “Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”
Positive signs
10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.
Disciples tested
13 This will be a time for you to bear testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will put to death; 17 you will be hated by all for my name’s sake.
Promise
18 But not a hair of your head will perish.19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
EXPLANATION
5 And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things which you see, the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
“And as some spoke of the temple” — Those speaking were probably the disciples to whom Jesus, in the Temple, spoke in Luke 20: 45 and following. Herod the Great re–built the Temple over forty–six years. The Temple, the only one in the world, was the third in Jewish history, successor to the second Temple, that of Ezra and Nehemiah, built after the return of Judah from captivity in Babylon. The Temple was the centre of Jewish religion and life.
Luke’s Gospel opens with Zechariah receiving the archangels’ message in the Temple concerning the conception of John the Baptist (Lk. 1: 5–25, 57–80). Jesus was presented to Simeon and Anna in the Temple (Lk. 2: 22–38). From age twelve years (Lk. 2: 41–50) he visited the Temple yearly. The current passage is his final message in the Temple (Lk. 21: 5–19) during which he prophecies the destruction of the Temple.
“how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings” — The “noble stones” were huge stones. The “offerings” would have been votive gifts given by the devout rich to adorn the Temple.
“he said, “As for these things which you see, the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” — When Luke wrote his Gospel (around A.D. 80 or 85), Jesus had already died, risen and ascended. The city and the Temple of Jerusalem were already destroyed in 70 A.D. Luke wanted to show that Jesus was a “prophet mighty in word and deed.”
Here Jesus is speaking of the destruction of only the Temple. Speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, he predicted that “they will not leave one stone upon another in you” (Lk. 19: 44). The prophecy here for the Temple is stronger as it speaks of “throwing down” or pulling down the stones. A reason for these strong terms is that the Temple had huge stones, some forty feet long, and the building appeared to be indestructible.
7 And they asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign when this is about to take place?”
“And they asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign when this is about to take place?” — Jesus does not answer the question as to the time of the destructions. He underlines that the end “will not be at once” (v. 9) and “that before all this…” (v. 12) other things will happen. Luke limits the request for signs to the destruction of the Temple and the city.
8 And he said, “Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”
“And he said, “Take heed that you are not led astray” — This is the second time that Luke has Jesus warn people about being deceived (Lk. 8: 18).
Jesus is approaching the end of his public ministry and he prepares his disciples. He gives two pieces of advice. Here in this verse he tells them to be prepared not to be led astray by the events which will shortly follow but to remain faithful to him. The second advice will follow in verse 9 when he will tell them “not to be terrified”; the end of the world is not close. Jerusalem and the Temple will be destroyed first and these will be signs or symbols of the end of the world.
“Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There it is!” For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.’ Then he said to the disciples, ‘The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. They will say to you, “Look there!” or “Look here!” Do not go, do not set off in pursuit’” (Lk. 17: 20–23).
“for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them” — Even when Jesus was preaching his public ministry, there were people who were using his name to drive out devils. Some claimed to be military messiahs who would drive out the Romans: Theudas and Judas the Galilean (Ac. 5: 33–39; 12: 45; 19: 11). All falsely claimed to be the Messiah and the “time” of deliverance from the Romans was at hand. That would not be the immediate end of the world.
“And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once” — The “end” to which Jesus refers in this context is the end of the city and the Temple.
10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.
“Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” — This is a prediction of the Jewish revolt against the Romans which began in 66 A.D.
Here Luke introduces signs of the destruction of the city and the Temple. Man’s total security was shaken. First, peace and harmony was destroyed by war. The earth was damaged by earthquakes. Famine and epidemics destroyed lives. The extraordinary signs in the heavens were the most disturbing and frightening. Luke does not list these events but they did occur as secular history testified.
“there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences” — These disasters are often given in the Bible as great sufferings and divine punishments. They can be understood symbolically.
“and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven” — The signs that Jesus had mentioned such as wars, earthquake, plagues, famines, awesome sights, mighty signs can be observed in every age. They indicate that the end is indeed coming, but they are no help in determining the day or the hour.
“But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake” — Jesus predicts that the disciples’ sufferings and persecutions will be like his own fate and will take place before the fall of Jerusalem. The Acts of the Apostles gives explicit references to these sufferings (Ac. 4: 1–3; 5: 18, 19; 8: 3; 9: 2; 9: 4; 12: 4; 16: 23; 22: 4; 26: 11).
“Kings and governors” — can refer to King Herod and Prefect (or governor) Pilate.
13 This will be a time for you to bear testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will put to death; 17 you will be hated by all for my name’s sake.
“This will be a time for you to bear testimony” — All these problems provide a wonderful opportunity to be witnesses to what God has done. Christians are called to give witness of the hope which animates them. This can be seen in the early Church fulfilled in Acts 3: 15; 4: 33; 5: 32; 20: 26; 26: 22.
“Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict” — Jesus calls on them to pay particular attention to this point. He will be with them in their trials and they are not depend on themselves or human wisdom but to depend on him for eloquence and understanding when questioned or opposed. This repeats “When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.” (Lk. 12: 11–12). A perfect fulfilment took place in Stephen’s trial (Ac. 6: 8 — 7: 60) where it is said that “they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke (Ac. 6: 10). Also “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.” (Ac. 4: 13–14).
“You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends” — Now we are told who will do the handing over of the disciples to persecution. They will be one’s closest and dearest, one’s family and intimate friends. Jesus will be betrayed by one of his disciples, Judas (Lk. 22: 3–6).
“and some of you they will put to death” — The apostle James was the first to be put to death (Ac. 12: 1–2).
“you will be hated by all for my name’s sake” — Luke’s final beatitude is “Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets” (Lk. 6: 22–23).
18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
“But not a hair of your head will perish” — The promise that no harm will come even to one hair seems strange in the prediction of persecution. It is simply a graphic way of saying that God will protect those who support him and endure persecution (See Lk. 12: 7; Ac. 27: 34; 1 Sam, 14: 45; 2 Sam. 14: 11; 1 Kgs. 1: 52).
The time of the Church is the time of persecution and so “By your endurance you will gain your lives” — By endurance in persecution people will be saved. “Endurance” does not necessarily imply definite death but certainly witness.
APPLICATION
Ordinary Sunday 33 is the second last Sunday in Liturgical Year C and in the Gospel Luke gives us part of Jesus’ final talk to his disciples. It is very important because of that. What he tells us here is what he wants us to remember in a very special manner.
Two words are central to this Gospel passage: “persecution” and “witness”. To be a disciple of Jesus is to expect persecution. St. Paul puts it very clearly and strongly, “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted” (II Tm. 3: 12). Jesus once said that if people hate and persecute him they would hate and persecute his disciples. Persecution is essential to discipleship. In the passage he gave an example of seven disasters that will come on the world. This, the perfect and complete number, was not meant to be exhaustive. He makes it clear that these do not herald the end of the world but they indicate what disciples should expect in their lives. Persecutions and calamities are meant to be times of trial to test disciples in their faith, hope and love. To faithfully persevere in these three virtues in all circumstances leads to eternal life.
We are very aware that the cross overshadows our lives, that it is inevitable and necessary and we are prepared to accept it. But when it comes in the form of persecutions that is generally a different story. This very week there were the following stories of persecution in the world around us. In Damascus a shell was fired deliberately on a Christian school and five children were killed with others injured. This was not the first time a school was targeted and children killed and injured. In North Vietnam eighty Christians were murdered, their only crime being that they had Bibles or catechetical CDs. This act was performed in a stadium in front of a full attendance of children forced to watch and be frightened. The list can continue.
What is the attitude of one in the face of persecution? The word given at the end of the Gospel passage is “endurance”. It is the word that can describe Jesus’ attitude in the face of his suffering and death and he is our model.
His first exhortation is to ask that his disciples remain faithful to him and keep their eyes fixed on him. As long as they remain focussed on him they will not be overcome with their own tribulations.
He prayed for his persecutors, “Father, forgive them.” He faced his future with courage in great hope. The disciple needs to have no worries about his own defence as he has been assured that Jesus and the Holy Spirit will give him an eloquence and a wisdom as to what to say. No one will be able to get the better of the disciple. The Acts of the Apostles gives many examples as to how that was fulfilled.
This is what we call “witness”, the second strong word in the passage. Witness means attesting to the reality of an event, a truth, which one believes in totally and passionately. That is why it is associated with ‘commitment’, the commitment of one’s life. Indeed, when witness means actual dying for one’s belief and commitment, it is called ‘martyrdom’, the highest form of witness.
We, wherever we live, are witnesses to our faith in that area. Our reaction to the persecution in Syria and elsewhere, to coming to the aid of our Philippine brothers and sisters in their devastation, to the distraught poor in our own country are but some of the signs of witness that we can give. We do these things not because we look for attention but because we are brothers and sisters to those who share with us creation by our creator; we are one with them. People look to us to see how Christ would react in a particular situation. As his witnesses let us not disappoint them in finding him.