The apostle Paul takes on the true responsibility of a Christian, the calling that in fact is given to everyone, though in different forms: to be the presence of Christ in this world, to be a witness. Each of us is called to bear witness to Christ by our life in such a way that, looking at us, people not only see Christ and can come to faith, but also know how to act. This is a terrible responsibility, but with God all things are possible. None of us can always be a witness. But to everyone who believes in Christ it is sometimes given to become a witness, to reveal Christ to someone, not always even consciously. Sometimes our almost accidental word, gesture, or smile saves a person, and in them he meets God.
But who is a witness? One who has seen for himself. This does not mean that we must necessarily see Christ. The apostle Paul did not see Jesus; he was blinded when he met Him on the road to Damascus. But it is not even necessary to be blinded by a vision. What is necessary is the Meeting. We cannot bear witness to the One whom we do not know, whom we have not met ourselves, personally. If we want to fulfill our calling to be witnesses, to imitate Christ, we must constantly ask for the Meeting. But we must be ready for the fact that God wants, perhaps, to reveal Himself to us through some person. The inhabitants of Corinth, for example, met Him in the apostle Paul, oriented themselves by him, looked to him. This was not idolatry; they simply saw in the apostle Paul the image of God. If we are attentive to the people around us, we may meet Christ sooner than if we wait from God for signs and visions.
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