Vigils Reading

BEARING WITNESS TO THE TRUTH

From the Document on Religious Freedom of the Second Vatican Council3

◊◊◊

When Christ completed on the cross the work of redemption whereby he

achieved salvation and true freedom for all, he brought his revelation to

completion. For he bore witness to the truth, but he refused to impose the truth

by force on those who spoke against it. Not by force of blows does his rule assert

its claims. It is established by witnessing to the truth and by hearing the truth,

and it extends its dominion by the love whereby Christ, lifted up on the cross,

draws everyone to himself.

Taught by the word and example of Christ, the apostles followed the same

way. From the very origins of the church the disciples of Christ strove to convert

others to faith in Christ as Lord; not, however, by the use of coercion or of

devices unworthy of the gospel, but by the power, above all, of the word of God.

Steadfastly they proclaimed to all the plan of God our Savior, “who wills that

all should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” At the same time,

however, they showed respect for those of weaker stuff, even though they were

in error, and thus they made it plain that “each one of us is to render an account

to God,” and for that reason is bound to obey one’s conscience.

Like Christ himself, the apostles were unceasingly bent upon bearing

witness to the truth of God, and they showed the fullest measure of boldness in

“speaking the word with confidence” before the people and their rulers. With a

firm faith they held that the gospel is indeed the power of God unto salvation

for all who believe. Therefore they rejected all “carnal weapons”: they followed

the example of the gentleness and respectfulness of Christ and they preached

3 see Christian Readings, vol. IV, p.227.7

the word of God in the full confidence that there was resident in this world itself

a divine power able to destroy all the forces arrayed against God and bring all

people to faith in Christ and to his service. As the Master, so too the apostles

recognized legitimate civil authority. “For there is no power except from God,”

the Apostle teaches, and thereafter commands: “Let everyone be subject to

higher authorities…He who resists authority resists God’s ordinance.”

At the same time, however, they did not hesitate to speak out against

governing powers which set themselves in opposition to the holy will of God: “It

is necessary to obey God rather than men.” This is the way along which the

martyrs and other faithful have walked through all ages and over all the earth.