In the first year of his papacy, Pope Francis while explaining today’s Gospel passage, invited us to reflect on three essential elements of Faith: proclamation, witness, and worship. These remain as timely and vital today as they were when first spoken. Rooted in Scripture and the example of the apostles, these three pillars form the heart of our mission as baptized Christians.
In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter and his companions boldly respond to threats and persecution with the words: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Their courage in proclaiming the risen Jesus, even when faced with imprisonment and flogging, is striking. Pope Francis reminds us that faith is born of hearing, and that each Christian is called to be a bearer of the Word, bringing it into everyday life.
We must ask ourselves: Do I speak of Christ in my family, at work, among friends? Proclamation is not reserved for priests or missionaries. Every baptised person is sent to share the Gospel — not as a rigid ideology, but as the joyful news of God’s love. In a world often marked by silence about faith, we are called to speak with humble boldness.
Yet proclamation alone is not enough. Words without witness are empty. Jesus calls Peter not just to proclaim but to “feed my sheep” (John 21:17). This means living the Gospel with integrity, even at a cost. Witness is not always dramatic — it may be quiet faithfulness in family life, honest work, or care for the vulnerable. Pope Francis spoke of a “middle class of holiness,” those saints of daily life whose quiet fidelity builds the Church.
The credibility of our proclamation rests on the witness of our lives. Do my choices reflect Christ? Do I live as one who truly believes? Inconsistency between faith and life damages the Church’s mission. But authentic, humble witness — even in small things — allows others to see Jesus through us.
Finally, proclamation and witness must flow from a living relationship with Jesus. The disciples recognised the Risen Lord not by asking questions, but by their closeness to him: “They knew it was the Lord” (John 21:12). Worship is what roots us in this relationship. It means giving God His rightful place — not only by asking for help, but by adoring Him as Lord of our lives.
Pope Francis challenges us: Do I truly worship the Lord? Or are there hidden idols — success, control, comfort — that claim my heart? Worship demands we strip away our false securities and place Christ at the centre. It is the wellspring from which proclamation and witness draw life.
To proclaim, to witness, to worship — these are not separate acts, but a single path of discipleship. Let us ask the Holy Spirit for the grace to live them daily, with courage and joy. Through the intercession of Mary and Saint Paul, may we be faithful followers of the Risen Lord. Amen.
Father Josekutty Mathew CMF
