Monday of the Sixth Week of
Easter
(Acts 16:11-15; John 15:26-16:4a)
A most disconcerting aspect of the allegations against Cesar
Chavez is that he was a representative of the Catholic Church as well as farmworker
justice. Chavez featured an image of Our
Lady of Guadalupe on his protest marches.
He also acknowledged Catholic social teaching as a basis for worker
rights, and he consulted churchmen on his policies and practices. He even broke a twenty-five day fast by
publicly taking Holy Communion.
Now that he is being discredited, the urgency of Jesus’
statement in today’s gospel that his followers testify to him is
underscored. Like priests’ abusing
children, Chavez’ actions will turn people away from Christ instead of toward
him. They will deny themselves the truth
and coherency of Christ’s teaching.
They will also be hindered from the benefit of faith in death. It may be said without pretension that the welfare
of the world depends upon good Christian witness. Chavez unfortunately gave
the opposite.
In a way we are in a bind.
We know that, by-and-large, committed Christians are faithful to Christ’s
moral teachings. Yet the exceptions to
this rule cause public scandal and resultant harm. Should
we hide our faith so that we do not bring disgrace to Christ? Of course, this suggestion opposes Jesus’ desire
that we give testimony to him. Rather a
much better way of life is to develop virtue by right living when seen and
unseen and by asking the Lord to send his Spirit to assist us.
