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Being a witness for Christ means loving others

By  Katie Gillis, Catholic Register Special
  • February 26, 2010
{mosimage}Editor’s note: This is the second place entry for the Friars Student Writing Award contest sponsored by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and The Catholic Register. Katie Gillis, 18, is a Grade 12 student at Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School in Whitby, Ont.

“You are witnesses to these things” (Luke 24:48).

This Scripture passage is the guideline for what we, as Christians, are being called to do. God has been calling us to love one another since the start of time. One could argue this is our vocation which we are meant to fulfill throughout our lifetime. Whether young or old, all people of God are called to love one another as they want to be loved, and treat one another as they wish to be treated.

This passage, when examined closely, can be interpreted in various ways.

We may interpret it as witnessing the hardships and helping those who need it. To love one another as we want to be loved: this simple sentence contains a powerful message which all people should follow. When we love one another as we want to be loved we are witnessing one of the things God created us to do on this Earth.

We are meant to spread the message of love and equality. God does not choose whom He is going to love or not; we should not be able to choose that either. We should love all of God’s creations. This passage may be saying we should witness the hate around us and we should promote love for everyone.

The next possibility is that we should treat others in ways that we wish to be treated. This means when we witness someone getting bullied we should stop it because we would not want to be bullied ourselves.

When we find ourselves putting someone down for the way they look, act or even speak, we must think, is that the way we want to be treated? I know for a fact that no human being wants to be called names or put down, but it is still going on in our world. Maybe that is what we are being called to witness. In this passage the thing being talked about is the sadness of people around us. We are being called, as Christians, to do something about it. But there has to be more to it.

Every person is created in the image and likeness of God. This is an important thing to keep in mind when we see people suffering and do nothing about it. So with more examination we can see that this passage is not only about the way people are being treated or the way we love one another, it is about everything that is happening to innocent people in our world. We are being called to stop walking by the poor man on the street who is suffering and asking for money. We are being called to help him with his troubles, because in doing this we are helping God.

This passage, no matter how it is interpreted, means one thing. It is telling us, as Christians, to get together and help the people in the world around us who need it.

(Gillis, 18, is a Grade 12 student at Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School in Whitby, Ont.)

For othe entries, please see: Friars' Student Writing Award contest leads youth to Scriptures 

More in this category: « Witnesses joyfully spread the love of God's truth World Youth Alliance active and growing in Canada »

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