Acts 8:5–8, 14–17; Psalm 66; 1 Peter 3:15–18; John 14:15–21
Defending Our Faith
Dear friends, today we celebrate the Sixth Sunday of Easter. Next Sunday, the Church will celebrate the Ascension of our Lord into heaven. Our reflection today draws its theme from the Second Reading, taken from the First Letter of St. Peter: “Defending Our Faith.”
Having faith in God is one thing; being able to explain and defend the reason for that faith is another. Faith is not merely believing that God exists. True faith is expressed through a life that reflects and witnesses to that belief in daily conduct.
St. Peter tells us that we must always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks us the reason for the hope we have in Christ Jesus. Hope is born from faith, and together they give us the strength to stand firm in the values taught by Christ. However, Peter also cautions that, while defending our faith, we must do so with gentleness, respect, and a clear conscience. Christian witness should never lead us to insult, oppress, or violate the rights of others.
Our world today faces serious challenges regarding faith. It often appears that many people no longer understand what genuine belief in God truly means. As religious denominations and sects continue to multiply, corruption, violence, and crime also increase. Ironically, many people involved in evil acts still carry religious identities and names. Recently, for example, a hacker stole all the money from someone’s mobile account, and the hacker’s name was “Godson.” Such incidents reveal the great difference between merely appearing religious and authentically living the faith.
Faith is not simply something acquired through academic study; it is fundamentally a gift of God’s revelation. Yet understanding and responding to that revelation requires wisdom and sound interpretation. If revelation truly comes from God — and indeed it does — then its essential truths must be universal. Human beings may express faith differently according to their cultures and traditions, especially in liturgical practices, but the core moral and spiritual values of faith must remain constant. No single culture can claim monopoly over God. Rather, faith purifies and elevates every culture, leading humanity toward holiness.
One of the major problems in society today is that faith has become highly relativized. Anyone who claims to have received a revelation can easily gather followers. Even more troubling is that many people no longer take time to examine the authenticity of those who present themselves as prophets or spiritual leaders. Few ask critical questions or seek accountability.
In the First Reading, we see that the early Christian communities followed clear structures and procedures in receiving new believers. When the Samaritans accepted the Gospel through Philip’s preaching, the matter was referred to the Apostles in Jerusalem, who then sent Peter and John to confirm them in the Holy Spirit. The early Church understood the importance of discernment, accountability, and communion with apostolic authority.
Every authentic minister of the Gospel must therefore remain accountable to a higher spiritual authority. In the Catholic Church, for example, no one undertakes a public ministry independently without being formally commissioned by legitimate superiors. This principle follows the example of Christ Himself, who repeatedly said: “For I have come down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me” (John 6:38).
One important test of an authentic ministry is the authority to which that minister is subject. A person accountable only to himself or herself can easily fall into self-interest or manipulation by external influences. We must therefore be cautious of the many “sole proprietor ministries” rapidly emerging in our neighborhoods, where individuals operate without oversight, formation, or accountability.
Another important matter is the testing of the spirit behind every ministry we follow. St. John warns us: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Jesus promised His disciples the Holy Spirit, who would guide them into all truth, even though the world would resist that truth.
Dear friends, both the rich and the poor experience spiritual vulnerability. Many false prophets have recognized this weakness and turned religion into a business enterprise that promises prosperity, miracles, security, and easy solutions to life’s problems. Much of this problem is rooted in poor spiritual formation within families. Many parents dedicate enormous effort to securing academic and material success for their children but neglect their moral and spiritual formation. Parents strive to enroll their children in the best schools, yet few invest equal effort in ensuring sound religious instruction and spiritual guidance. Consequently, even highly educated and influential people sometimes become victims of illiterate and self-proclaimed prophets.
We must therefore ask ourselves: Have we taken time to examine the authenticity of the ministries we follow? Do the teachings we receive truly lead us closer to God, deeper into truth, and toward moral transformation?
May the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth and strengthen us to live and defend our faith with wisdom, humility, and courage.
Have a blessed Sunday.
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 