If I preach the Gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it!”
On many occasions, Jesus rose early in the morning and went out outside the city to pray. The apostles came up to Him and said, “Everyone is searching for you.” And our Blessed Lord answered them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also. For this purpose I have come”.
The purpose and mission of Jesus is to spread the Gospel, by taking the Good News to the ends of the earth, not only 2000 years ago, but in every age, including now and until He comes in all His glory at the final judgment.
Today, this is the Mission of the Church, which carries out our Lord’s command: “Go out into all the world and preach the Gospel to the ends of the world”.
The first evangelization, on the day of Pentecost, St. Peter preached the divinity of Jesus, His redeeming death, and His glorious resurrection, which resulted in the immediate conversion of some 3,000 people in Jerusalem.
St. Paul, who was one of the greatest evangelizers of all time, spread the Gospel throughout many different countries and regions. With regard to evangelization, he quoted the prophet Isaiah, who said, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news.”
The second reading of the Mass, tells us of the joyful responsibility of announcing the saving truth. St. Paul said, “If I preach the Gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it!”
Using the words of St. Peter, the Church has often reminded the faithful, that God calls us, to make use of every opportunity to spread Christ’s doctrine everywhere.
St. John Chrysostom anticipated all the excuses for not carrying out this most important obligation. He said, “There is nothing colder, than a Christian, who is unconcerned about the salvation of souls.
Do not say, “I am unable to help them, for if you are truly a Christian, it is impossible for you, to make such an admission. It is easier for the sun to fail to give its light or its heat, than for a Christian, to cease to give light and warmth; it would be easier for light to be darkness. Do not say that the thing is impossible: what is important is the opposite…If we order our conduct aright, everything else will follow the natural consequence. The light of Christians cannot be hidden; a light that shines so brightly, cannot be concealed.”
These beautiful words of St. John Chrysostom call us to spread the Gospel by being a light to all those around us. He reminds us, our conduct is what causes us to either give light or darkness.
Practically speaking, this means we are called to be a light in our own homes, in our work place and wherever we are.
The home is how we are called to spread the Gospel first. Does our conduct cause dissension and grief among our family members or does it bring peace and reconciliation? Do we yell, rather than calmly discuss the issue? Do we sarcastically put down a family member, our or do we build them up, by complimenting them and praising them? The use of cuss words gives bad example. Are we selfish or do we place the needs of the family, above our needs. As children, do we talk back to our parents, or do we listen to them, calmly explaining how we feel, yet submitting to their desires? As parents, do we listen to our children and ask their opinion? Do we fail to discipline our children, by letting them do whatever they want, rather than to teach them to respect others, and to control themselves?
To preach the Gospel by our conduct in our home, most dramatically includes the concern of each and every family member’s salvation. St. John Chrysostom, said, “There is nothing colder than a Christian who is unconcerned about the salvation of souls.”
Parents have a special obligation to act virtuously, to live holy and moral lives, thereby radiating from their conduct the light of Christ. When a parent or a spouse fails by losing their temper, they should at once, apologize and ask for forgiveness, thereby teaching the children the importance of seeking forgiveness. When a parent finds them self gossiping, or lying, or being selfish, in front of a child, they should admit their fault, and explain what they had done is wrong. When a child likewise does something wrong, to their brothers and sisters, they too, should also tell their parents the truth, and also make amends to those whom they have hurt. The practice of virtue in the home, the correcting of children when they appear to be sinning, and the admitting of one’s own faults, shows concern for the salvation of the souls each family member always desiring to help them on their way to heaven.
And finally, to be concerned about each family member’s salvation, one will strive to begin daily family prayer, to come to Mass every Sunday, to take the children to confession monthly, to pray the rosary as a family, to not be afraid to talk about Jesus in the home, and to give witness to Him, by holy pictures, crucifixes and blessed objects on walls.
Today, let us embrace our obligation to bear witness as Christians, by our conduct in our homes, at our jobs, and at school, and proclaim the Gospel recalling the words of St. Paul. If I preach the Gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it!”
Yet knowing St. Paul also said, “How beautiful are the feet, of those who preach the good news.”