6th Week of Easter 2026 - Monday - Witnessing with patience, humility, and hope

 There is an old insight from classical philosophy, found in Aristotle and developed by St. Thomas Aquinas, that every human action is done “sub ratione boni” — “under the appearance of the good.”

We make moral choices because they appear to be good for us. We eat breakfast because it appears good, we come to church, we follow the commandments because they appear good to us.

Aquinas would say that sin often works this way. Even sin, in the moment of sin, appears good. The thief steals because it appears to be a good way to pay his bills. The addict returns to his addiction because it appears to give him relief. In sin, we fixate on a partial or apparent good, but in a disordered way. Sin chooses a lesser good against a greater good, or an apparent good against the true good.

That helps us understand the frightening words of Jesus in today’s Gospel:

“The hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God.”

Jesus here explains how individuals can become so deluded, their reasoning so disordered, that they think persecuting the Church is the right thing to do.

St. Paul knew this from experience. Before his conversion, he persecuted the Church. He thought he was serving God by stoning Christians to death. So many martyrs died at the hands of people, not who loved evil for evils sake, but thought they were doing the right thing—just like we do when we sin.

But this is why the Church must give witness to the truth. Because the Christian never gives up hope for conversion. The persecutor Saul became the Apostle Paul. The enemy of the Church became one of her greatest saints.

So we witness, not with hatred. Not with bitterness against those who persecute us. But with patience and hope, and humility, knowing how easy it is for people to become deluded—after all we’ve been deluded ourselves at times.

"When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify.”

We must not lose hope when the world becomes deluded and full of hatred toward the good. The Lord essentially promised that it would. But even deluded hate-filled souls can be saved.

So may the Spirit grant us rightly formed minds and hearts, but also hearts filled with patience, humility and hope, that we may witness, as we have been told we must, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Knowing that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, who guides the Church and strengthens us to bear witness to Christ, let us offer our prayers to God with confidence.

For the Church: that she may always bear faithful witness to the truth of Christ with courage, humility, patience, and hope. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

For all who govern nations and shape public life: that they may not be deceived by false goods, but may seek truth, justice, peace, and the dignity of every human person. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who persecute the Church, oppose the Gospel, or are blinded by hatred and confusion: that the Spirit of Truth may enlighten their minds, soften their hearts, and lead them to conversion. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

For those caught in sin, addiction, falsehood, or discouragement: that they may recognize the true good, find freedom in Christ, and receive the grace to walk in the light. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

For the sick, the poor, the suffering, and all who feel afflicted or abandoned: that God’s mercy may strengthen them and that Christian witness may bring them consolation and hope. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

For the faithful departed: that, purified of every darkness and falsehood, they may behold God face to face in the fullness of truth and life. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

Father of Truth, hear the prayers of your people. Send forth your Holy Spirit to form our minds, purify our hearts, and make us faithful witnesses to your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns forever and ever.