May 3, 2004
The message today seems to be about the message. Our first reading, the responsorial psalm and the Gospel all speak about Christ’s message.
In the first reading, St. Paul tells the people of Corinth that they will be saved if they hold fast to the word he preached to them. He reminds them that Christ died according to the scriptures and that he was raised on the third day “in accordance with the scriptures.”
In the responsorial psalm our response is “Their message goes out through all the earth.” “The heavens declare the glory of God. The firmament proclaims his handywork. Day pours out the word to day.”
Finally, in the Gospel Jesus tells the apostles, “If you know me, then you will also know my father.” “The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.” It’s fairly obvious that we are all charged with spreading the good news, no matter what our vocation. Some of us get to spread the message from the pulpit. Most of us spread it by our actions and the way we live our lives. But Jesus, through Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and St. Paul, tells us over and over again that we must know Him if we are to enjoy eternal life. And the way we come to know Jesus is through the scriptures.
Here’s an ad that was in Saturday’s paper. It was in the section where some churches promote their particular services.
“Church Service 30 Minutes or less- GUARANTEED
Dress casual=Meet Nice People.
“It’s too short for you to get bored”
Then they give their internet address and their phone number. They don’t give their address.
Naturally, being curious, I went to their web site to see exactly what message they deliver every Sunday morning, in 30 minutes or less. Under “What We Believe” this is what they say:
“We are a family of believers committed to worshipping and serving Jesus Christ” That’s a noble goal in 30 minutes or less.
Please don’t think I’m making fun of this particular church or putting down their beliefs. I’m sure they’re good people. They’ve decided that the way to attract people in this day and age is to advertise the shortness of their services. And, if that gets people into the pews, it’s not an entirely bad idea.
But Jesus tells us to preach the Gospel. Spread the word. Give people the good news. There were no watches in the first century, so I guess Jesus couldn’t have guaranteed that his sermons would not take more than half and hour. He didn’t seem to be interested in time. Apparently, his listeners weren’t either. We know of one particular instance when He spoke all day. He kept the people so late that He had to provide dinner. And, more than 5,000 people were willing to sit there all day and listen.
Is His message any less powerful in 2004 than it was in 33AD?
In the first reading, St. Paul tells the people of Corinth that they will be saved if they hold fast to the word he preached to them. He reminds them that Christ died according to the scriptures and that he was raised on the third day “in accordance with the scriptures.”
In the responsorial psalm our response is “Their message goes out through all the earth.” “The heavens declare the glory of God. The firmament proclaims his handywork. Day pours out the word to day.”
Finally, in the Gospel Jesus tells the apostles, “If you know me, then you will also know my father.” “The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.” It’s fairly obvious that we are all charged with spreading the good news, no matter what our vocation. Some of us get to spread the message from the pulpit. Most of us spread it by our actions and the way we live our lives. But Jesus, through Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and St. Paul, tells us over and over again that we must know Him if we are to enjoy eternal life. And the way we come to know Jesus is through the scriptures.
Here’s an ad that was in Saturday’s paper. It was in the section where some churches promote their particular services.
“Church Service 30 Minutes or less- GUARANTEED
Dress casual=Meet Nice People.
“It’s too short for you to get bored”
Then they give their internet address and their phone number. They don’t give their address.
Naturally, being curious, I went to their web site to see exactly what message they deliver every Sunday morning, in 30 minutes or less. Under “What We Believe” this is what they say:
“We are a family of believers committed to worshipping and serving Jesus Christ” That’s a noble goal in 30 minutes or less.
Please don’t think I’m making fun of this particular church or putting down their beliefs. I’m sure they’re good people. They’ve decided that the way to attract people in this day and age is to advertise the shortness of their services. And, if that gets people into the pews, it’s not an entirely bad idea.
But Jesus tells us to preach the Gospel. Spread the word. Give people the good news. There were no watches in the first century, so I guess Jesus couldn’t have guaranteed that his sermons would not take more than half and hour. He didn’t seem to be interested in time. Apparently, his listeners weren’t either. We know of one particular instance when He spoke all day. He kept the people so late that He had to provide dinner. And, more than 5,000 people were willing to sit there all day and listen.
Is His message any less powerful in 2004 than it was in 33AD?
posted by Mike at 1:39 PM
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