Readings: Thursday of Week 14 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Hosea 11:1-4,8-9, Ps. 80:2-3,15-16, Matthew 10:7-15
“And preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay.” (Matthew 10:7-8)
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus says, “Preach as you go,” meaning that our lives are living sermons. Everything we do from dusk to dawn either proclaims the Good News or denies it. Even what we do in secret speaks volumes about our relationship with God.
When we let our light shine by good works, we are preaching. When our actions betray our values and what we stand for, we are also preaching. Even when we have to use words to preach, we must ensure our actions do not, later on, contradict our words. This is a call to accountability and responsibility in our preaching.
Hosea today speaks about the enduring love of God for Israel and the fact that despite how much Israel as a nation had prostituted itself before Baal, God’s love remained steadfast.
Hosea’s very life demonstrated the extent of God’s love for us. God instructed Hosea to marry an unfaithful wife whom he had to welcome back each time she left him. Hosea says on God’s behalf, “My compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my fierce anger… for I am God and not a man… and I will not come to destroy.”
Preaching to others is more than words; it is freeing people from the darkness that imprisons them: the darkness of ignorance, the darkness of sickness, spiritual death, and demonic possession. Hence, Jesus added, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.”
Preaching may begin on the pulpit, but it must never end there. We must go out to touch the sick, feed the hungry and help the poor; we must strive to meet the people where they are. When reaching out to the people, we must avoid turning our ministry into a money-making enterprise. Jesus says: “You received without pay, give without pay, take no gold, silver, or copper. No bag, two tunics, sandals, or a staff.”
Let us pray: O God, who in the abasement of your Son have raised a fallen world, fill your faithful with holy joy, for on those you have rescued from slavery to sin you bestow eternal gladness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Thursday of Week 14 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Hosea 11:1-4,8-9, Ps. 80:2-3,15-16, Matthew 10:7-15)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu