In today’s reading, St. John instructs us to love one another not in words or speech, but in deed and truth. However, human beings are incapable of true love especially towards their enemies and persecutors. Which one of us can forgive the thief who broke into our homes and stole from us? Which one of us can turn the other cheek without retaliating as they are being taunted and bullied? Rather, it is easier to love family and friends. Nevertheless, it is possible to love and pray for our persecutors. But it is not us who do this but God Himself acting through us. We have seen God acting in our lives, so we go out to share our testimonies. We evangelize other Pacific Islands and participate in the Great Mission every Sunday. The Church often speak of the New Evangelization, and the NCW does this very well. It is by their fruit that one can know the true disciples of Christ.
Matthew 7:16-18 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Christ also warned His Church that they will be persecuted just as He was persecuted. So, let us not forget that we are Christians, the followers of Christ. Let us not forget what happened at the Antonio B. Wonpat International Airpot in April 2016 when Professor Giuseppe Gennarini arrived in Guam. It is by their fruits that you will know who the true disciples of Christ. What happened in 2016 is also a great testimony of God acting in our lives. As you see in the video below, the leader of the NCW quietly goes to a car and loads his luggage and without retaliation while being harassed, bullied, and taunted by the Concerned Catholics” (CCOG). Mr. Gennarini forgave these people. This is the kind of leader who leads the NCW.
