6 September, Wednesday — Called to Mission

Wednesday of Week 22 in Ordinary Time

Col 1:1-8
Lk 4:38-44

The Good News which has reached you is spreading all over the world and producing the same results as it has among you ever since the day when you heard about God’s grace and understood what this really is.

One of my favourite candies underwent a rebranding exercise and this involved a change in packaging. I initially could not recognise the brand when I went to purchase the item. Subsequently, I felt that the taste had changed somewhat with this new packaging. My family said I was probably being overly sensitive given the change in packaging, but I still feel there is a change in the taste. Happily enough, the Good News which we have accepted has not changed in message and delivery.

St Paul was praising the community in Colossae for their enthusiasm to accept the message of God for what it was and to live it out fully. The proclamation of this message has often reminded me not to be disillusioned with the reality of living out one’s faith, but to always feel drawn to the message of the faith which I was initially drawn towards. Indeed, St Paul always reminds us of the importance of proclaiming the message of Christ to the people around us, and he showed it with his life.

Jesus reminds us in today’s Gospel that he needs to continue to proclaim the Word of God to the people in the area. This is instructive for us as this remains the great commission to each one of us, as our whole life is one of missionary aim and intent. As we enter into the middle of the week, let us take time to identify how we can spread the Word of God to the people who matter to us.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Nicholas Chia)

Prayer: Jesus, grant us the courage to spread your Word to the people around us.

Thanksgiving: We give thanks for all who spread the Word of God to those around us.