July 15, 2018 15th Sunday B
July 15, 2018 15th Sunday B
If you were asked to go off to a distant country to do mission work, how much would you pack? Would you pack only a walking stick, clothes on your back, and no money? During seminary, we were expected to go to Nicaragua to work as missionaries for one week. As we gathered at the New Orleans airport prior to our departure, I noticed that most of the seminarians were carrying very large suitcases… stuffed with clothes, electronics, toiletries, snacks and anything else we couldn’t live without...and I chuckled to myself because we were only going for a week! And did I mention that it was for mission work? When you pack for a week-long journey, do you pack enough clothes to have a fresh set to wear everyday?
For us, Jesus’ instruction to his Apostles not to take anything with them in spreading the Gospel--only a walking stick, no food, no sack, no money--seems strange. I sometimes ponder why travel at all when all the powers of evangelization can be harnessed through social media, smartphone, and internet? Even with these technological marvels, the Good News of Jesus Christ has not yet reached the far corners of our own country. There are still among our own families those who have not heard and accepted the Good News of salvation of Jesus Christ; that God, Our Father in Heaven loves us and brought each of us into existence and redeemed us through the death of His Son Jesus Christ so that we can share eternal happiness with the Father. Is it the lack of technology or lack in effective social media campaign that some people are yet to be believers in the Good News?
The effectiveness of evangelization does not depend on technology nor wealth of material resources. It also does not hinge on personal charisma, enthusiasm, or intelligence. Rather, the effectiveness of evangelization by disciples of Jesus depend on the power of God and on sincerity, on the faith, and personal witness by the disciples. In other words, the true force and the energy behind the efforts of evangelization is the personal witness of love of God and the love of neighbor.
What is personal witness? It is parents teaching faith to their children by praying together, making mass a priority in the family, and volunteering at school or church or in the community. It is sometimes as simple as smiling to a clerk at a checkout counter and saying, “Have a blessed day!” For one 90 yr. old parishioner, her personal witness is to crochet afghan blankets to give away to newcomers in the area, to those who are sick, and to those who are going through difficult transitions. Personal witness is treating employees fairly and respectfully; having difficult conversations with our family members about moral issues; providing food and clothing for folks in need. Social media can be used for evangelization, but sometimes it is a vehicle for voyeurism, self-aggrandizement, vulgarity, and spewing hate. Personal witness is being responsible for our words and actions in person, in print, and in social media. Mother Teresa summarized it this way, “Our work, to be fruitful and to be all for God, and beautiful, has to be built on faith---faith in Christ who has said, ‘I was hungry, I was naked, I was sick, and I was homeless and you did that to Me.’ On these words of His all our work is based.... Faith to be true has to be a giving love. Love and faith go together. They complete each other.”
When Our Lord asked his Apostles to preach the Good News far and wide, he knew their limitations and weaknesses. He personally showed them that the power to change hearts comes from self-sacrificing love and humility. Rather than depend on their own abilities and possessions, disciples are to depend on Our Lord, focused on seeking the good of our neighbor. Our Lord has entrusted to each of us his gifts and talents; are we eager to place ourselves at his service, to do whatever he asks of us, to whomever he sends us to witness his saving power? We know living out personal witness is difficult; it was difficult for the Apostles who came from a variety of backgrounds with imperfections. Remember how Matthew the Tax Collector was called to change his life and follow Jesus after cheating and extorting money from people. The Apostles worked at it everyday; we have to work at it it every day, every moment of our lives.
If you were asked to go off to a distant country to do mission work, how much would you pack? Would you pack only a walking stick, clothes on your back, and no money? During seminary, we were expected to go to Nicaragua to work as missionaries for one week. As we gathered at the New Orleans airport prior to our departure, I noticed that most of the seminarians were carrying very large suitcases… stuffed with clothes, electronics, toiletries, snacks and anything else we couldn’t live without...and I chuckled to myself because we were only going for a week! And did I mention that it was for mission work? When you pack for a week-long journey, do you pack enough clothes to have a fresh set to wear everyday?
For us, Jesus’ instruction to his Apostles not to take anything with them in spreading the Gospel--only a walking stick, no food, no sack, no money--seems strange. I sometimes ponder why travel at all when all the powers of evangelization can be harnessed through social media, smartphone, and internet? Even with these technological marvels, the Good News of Jesus Christ has not yet reached the far corners of our own country. There are still among our own families those who have not heard and accepted the Good News of salvation of Jesus Christ; that God, Our Father in Heaven loves us and brought each of us into existence and redeemed us through the death of His Son Jesus Christ so that we can share eternal happiness with the Father. Is it the lack of technology or lack in effective social media campaign that some people are yet to be believers in the Good News?
The effectiveness of evangelization does not depend on technology nor wealth of material resources. It also does not hinge on personal charisma, enthusiasm, or intelligence. Rather, the effectiveness of evangelization by disciples of Jesus depend on the power of God and on sincerity, on the faith, and personal witness by the disciples. In other words, the true force and the energy behind the efforts of evangelization is the personal witness of love of God and the love of neighbor.
What is personal witness? It is parents teaching faith to their children by praying together, making mass a priority in the family, and volunteering at school or church or in the community. It is sometimes as simple as smiling to a clerk at a checkout counter and saying, “Have a blessed day!” For one 90 yr. old parishioner, her personal witness is to crochet afghan blankets to give away to newcomers in the area, to those who are sick, and to those who are going through difficult transitions. Personal witness is treating employees fairly and respectfully; having difficult conversations with our family members about moral issues; providing food and clothing for folks in need. Social media can be used for evangelization, but sometimes it is a vehicle for voyeurism, self-aggrandizement, vulgarity, and spewing hate. Personal witness is being responsible for our words and actions in person, in print, and in social media. Mother Teresa summarized it this way, “Our work, to be fruitful and to be all for God, and beautiful, has to be built on faith---faith in Christ who has said, ‘I was hungry, I was naked, I was sick, and I was homeless and you did that to Me.’ On these words of His all our work is based.... Faith to be true has to be a giving love. Love and faith go together. They complete each other.”
When Our Lord asked his Apostles to preach the Good News far and wide, he knew their limitations and weaknesses. He personally showed them that the power to change hearts comes from self-sacrificing love and humility. Rather than depend on their own abilities and possessions, disciples are to depend on Our Lord, focused on seeking the good of our neighbor. Our Lord has entrusted to each of us his gifts and talents; are we eager to place ourselves at his service, to do whatever he asks of us, to whomever he sends us to witness his saving power? We know living out personal witness is difficult; it was difficult for the Apostles who came from a variety of backgrounds with imperfections. Remember how Matthew the Tax Collector was called to change his life and follow Jesus after cheating and extorting money from people. The Apostles worked at it everyday; we have to work at it it every day, every moment of our lives.
