Always About the Good News
Reflections on the readings for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (February 4, 2018): JB 7:1-4, 6-7: PS 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; 1 COR 9:16-19, 22-23; MK 1:29-39
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Just as his loving Lord shared the Good News with all who would listen, so too did St. Paul. He wanted people to know that he was striving to emulate the mission of Christ by spreading the message of eternal salvation. “I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible.… I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the Gospel, so that I too may have a share in it” (1 Corinthians 9:19, 22-23).
Preaching the word and the life of Christ propelled Paul on his many journeys throughout the Mediterranean area. He knew that the Son of God had come to redeem His people from sin and to open the gates of heaven to them. Now, nearly two thousand years later, that message must still be proclaimed. We must support the work of the Church in sending missionaries to every corner of the earth. And we must be willing to express our faith through what we say and do in our daily lives.
Suggested missionary action: Let us make an effort to read the Gospels for at least a few minutes each day. Then let us actively live out the mercy of God for the good of our own soul and the souls of others.
