We are all inclined to leave the doing of things to other
people. We sometimes do this because we genuinely feel that
others are better qualified to deal with a particular matter than
we are. Sometimes we are shy or feel we are better off
minding our own business and not becoming involved in other
peoples’ problems of difficulties. We’ll say things should be
done but we leave the doing to others.
The preaching of Christianity was, in the past, left up to
the priest – the expert. Those of us in the pews felt that we
didn’t know enough, and anyway, we’d probably be
embarrassed to talk about religion. Nevertheless, the Gospel
is truly alive and relevant to everyone! It needs everyone to
go out and make known the Christian message! It cannot and
it must not be left to others or to later on!
More than any other Pope, John Paul, II traveled the globe
in the exercise of his pastoral ministry, seeking to bring hope
and encouragement to people, sharing with them the Gospel
message. One of the features of his visits was the respect he
showed to a country by symbolically kissing the ground upon
his arrival. That kiss was a sign of love, not just for the land
itself, but for its culture, its history, its values, and most of all
for its people.
In the Gospel this coming week, Jesus understood the
need for his disciples to respect the people and places they
visited. They were to speak words of peace and accept
whatever hospitality was offered to them. He instructed them
to care for the people, cure their sick and give them the
message of hope. That same message is also directed to us!
Are we open to hear and receive and help to spread God’s
message, if only by the simple witness of our own personal
lives? Do we truly experience the nearness of God’s
kingdom? We need to experience afresh urgency of the
message: THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NEAR TO YOU!
Let us hope that our version of the Gospel will truly reveal
Jesus!