The WORD in other words (2018) by Fr Jun Peralta SVD -New Zealand
Saturday 7th Week of Easter
証人This is a Japanese word read as shounin. The first character shou comes from the word 証い-akashi meaning to testify. The second character nin comes from hito, meaning a person. Shounin therefore is one who testifies.
John testified to the Word, the Christ, all his life just as the other apostles and disciples did. Peter was crucified in testifying to Jesus. John through his writings testified to the Christ. Both experienced the Christ. Both had seen and heard and dined with Christ.
Here in the northland of New Zealand, the Katekita have long served their people and the local church. Just like the catechists in the Philippines, they lead the community in prayers and the Liturgy of the Word (when priests are not available). And they distinctly help the priests during the mass in Te Reo, their language. They are shounin to the Word, the Christ.
A youth camp is being organized up here for the north (particularly for the Maori youth). The organizers have invited the Youth for Christ (Filipino Youth) from Auckland to lead some of the activities. They may come from different cultures but they come to testify to the Word, the Christ.
A pakeha lady (white lady), in her own small ways, brings religious articles to people (pictures, statues, and prayer books and pamphlets, etc.) and passes them on to just anybody. She doesn’t talk much, but she testifies to the Word, the Christ.
We in our own small and/or big ways, can all be shounin to Christ.
