3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isa 8:23 – 9:3
1 Cor 1:10-13,17
Mt 4:12-23
For Christ did not send me to baptise, but to preach the Good News, and not to preach that in the terms of philosophy in which the crucifixion of Christ cannot be expressed.
The apostles were sent out to preach the Good News, as St Paul wrote. And we, as part of the apostolate, are also called to preach the Good News. However, many are hesitant to do this, for various reasons. We are worried that we do not know much about our own faith, let alone preach and defend it. We fear we are not able to convince someone else. We are afraid of being judged by our own weaknesses and failings and labelled hypocrites.
Yes, all these are valid concerns. However, there are 3 things we need to consider. First, it is not us, but God himself, who will be changing hearts. Second, as part of the apostolate, we are supposed to spread the Good News; and there are many ways to do so, and we should be able to find one we are comfortable with. Third, as soon as we decide to live our lives according to the will of God, we will find ourselves living changed lives, and all the better to be a living example of the Good News.
God changes hearts
We often mistakenly think that we have a responsibility to convert others to our faith and beliefs. Some of us read up a lot, study a lot, in order to try to win debates and change someone’s mind. While it is good to know more about our own faith, and while it is true that most people will be convinced by sound reasoning, the main change will be in their hearts. And for this, they must encounter God in their hearts, on their own, and God will reveal Himself to them in His time.
If we reflect on our own journey of faith, we will see that it takes a personal encounter with God’s love to truly turn our hearts and our souls towards Him. While the faith may make sense to us logically, head knowledge is not quite enough for a true conversion. A conversion of the heart is required, and it is God himself, not the people, who can do that.
We preach the Good News
Of course, we do not simply do nothing. We are called to preach. This can be achieved in different ways. During our family prayer, we talked about this with our children — how do we spread our faith with those who do not believe or with those who have fallen away from the church? Some suggestions were to pray for them, that they may be open to God’s call. Also, we can pray together with them, to live out our faith in a visible manner. We can also invite them for mass with us, to show hospitality and kindness, which is God’s love reflected.
Indeed, there are many ways to preach. Living out our faith is one easy and obvious way to do so. When someone asks why we say grace before a meal, explain it to them. Explain the sign of the cross. Be kind and loving to others. Hold space for others. Be hospitable. We are reflecting the love of God through all of these actions. Because experiencing such a love is a lot more convincing than losing an argument.
A change in us
Living out our faith and being open and giving is easier said than done. Especially in an increasingly individualistic society. We would sooner take than give. The good news is, once we have truly experienced God’s love, we will find it easier, even natural, to do this.
In the communities we have been in, we have encountered many people who have helped us to encounter God. Literally and figuratively. And we always wonder how they keep doing that — how they find the drive, and how they find the energy amidst all the other many things they are so busy with. Their answer is inevitably that this is what they are called to do. They are filled with God’s love, and they cannot help but give God’s love out to others.
There is a fundamental difference between living a life of Christ and giving our whole self to the service of God and of others, and living a life of hesitation because of fear. The difference lies in whether or not we have truly seen God’s love for us, and to truly understand that it is God’s strength that sustains us as we go about doing His work. Once we have experienced God’s love, we are filled with God’s love, and we can then start to share God’s love around. Perfect love drives out fear.
Mission
We are called to preach the Good News, just as the apostles did. One important thing we need to remember is that God is the one who can touch hearts. We simply reflect God’s love to others so that they can see and recognise the source of that love. Another important thing to remember is to allow God to love us, and to seek Him in all we do. When we are able to do this, we can go forth as the apostles did.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Felicia Zou)
Prayer: Dear Lord, we pray for the strength to carry out your work and to preach the Good News. We pray that we will always seek You in all we do.
Thanksgiving: Dear Lord, we thank You for Your unending love for us and the many ways you have shown us that love.
OXYGEN 
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