My sisters and brothers in the Lord,
Welcome to week thirty-six of BMW, Be My Witnesses. Let’s continue what we began last week with our co-disciple and this week perform a spiritual work of mercy, counseling the doubtful.
Mission: Counsel the Doubtful
The perfect example of someone filled with doubt was Saint Thomas. There he was confronting his brother apostles who were strongly trying to convince him that the Lord had risen from the dead. He just as adamantly replied that he would not believe it until he touched this risen person’s wounds in order to verify that it was the Lord. Jesus then presented his wounds to provide support for faith (John 20:24-29).
We all have doubts. In fact, to have doubts but to remain open is an excellent way to come to a deeper appreciation of our faith. Thus, this Spiritual Work of Mercy, counseling the doubtful takes two to tango. First of all, this needs someone who seems open but is unsure. The Rich Young Man who earnestly came to Jesus was seriously seeking advice. Jesus was ready to lead him gradually along the path of true virtue, including abandoning his wealth and following Jesus (Mt 19:16-22). Jesus did not miss this opportunity to give good counsel and to provide it in a way that was challenging yet inviting. I like to think that the young man gave his encounter with the Lord good thought and eventually followed Jesus.
Or take the example of Nicodemus, a leading Pharisee, who was intrigued by Jesus but did not want to be public about it. Jesus was again ready and willing to provide counsel and advice to someone who would eventually help to bury him after his crucifixion (John 3:1-15; 19:39). Thus, this spiritual work will be best achieved when there is enough interest and openness on the part of the other. These are people who take seriously the Proverb: “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may eventually become wise” (19:20).
What about the one providing the counsel? Obviously, we need to be well-versed in the matter to be discussed. This does not mean that we have to know everything, but it does mean that we have to love and know Jesus. Besides this basic foundation, we then need prudence, that virtue which helps us to read the situation correctly.
Prudence assists us to say the right thing at the right time. This is a wonderful quality for any evangelizing disciple of Jesus.
Finally, let us not be shy to extend a hand to someone seeking our help. Jesus did this for Peter as he began to sink beneath the waves (Matthew 14:31). Let our hands be extended to those experiencing doubt.
This week's challenge
So, our challenge for this week is to talk with your evangelizing partner and seek an evaluation on how prudent you are when approaching others, that is, not going over-board but also not going under-board. Read the signs and then speak the truth in love.
Until next week, may God Bless you.
+ Earl Boyea
Bishop of Lansing
P.S. Here is a video version of this week's Be My Witnesses. Please do share with friends and family. Thank you.