Witnesses to the World

Sunday’s Gospel (John 17:11-19) speaks directly to the hearts of 21^st century Australian Christians about inclusion and unity! Jesus knows exactly how we are fixed. We live, work and play in an environment often indifferent or opposed to the core Christian values which recognize God’s limitless love for us and in turn our desire to love God and our neighbours to the best of our abilities.

Much of the wider world is focussed on individualism over community, on hedonism over compassionate service, on wealth accumulation rather than equitable distribution and on furious, pro-active, denial of a divine creator (and denigration of those who disagree). Like Jesus, we do not identify with the worst of the world’s values and priorities. Also, like Jesus, we don’t ask to be removed from the world but rather protected from those evil influences. Our purpose of existence as baptised Christians in the world is to proclaim the Good News of God’s Kingdom wherever and whenever we go. We can only do this immersed in the world we are placed in. Like Jesus too, we have a great affection for the people we encounter and a desire to love them for themselves, to chat and mix with them, to heal them where we can, to immerse ourselves in the many earthy, harmless and enjoyable pursuits of the world and helpfully roll up our sleeves as needed. The best of third millennium Christians are to be found amidst all the other flavours of Australians, evangelising by their very lives, shared struggles and joys.

Adversity has brought Christians together as we haven’t been for many centuries. Together we deal with the hostility and indifference of the world. And together, immersed in the world, those we move among can witness our integrity, truth and sincerity such that many will also seek to be disciples of Jesus.

Deacon Mark Kelly