THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Wednesday of 22^nd Week in Ordinary time, 2022

1Cor 3:1-9

Ps 33

Luke 4:38-44

I must preach...

Dear friends in Christ, preaching the good news is a task that we are all called to do. By the fact of our Baptism, we become priests, kings, and prophets with Christ. We share in these offices which rightly belong to Him. There are different modes by which we accomplish these tasks since we do not possess the gifts in the same way and measure. Some are dedicated particularly to the ministry of preaching, and some preach by the support they accord those who are on a mission.

In the first reading of today (1Corinthians 3:1-9) Paul berated those who were seeking self-interest at the expense of preaching the gospel. Such people create confusion in the flock and make men into idols to follow, rather than the message that they preach. Paul calls such people, infants in Christ, men of the flesh. "For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving like ordinary men? For when one says, 'I belong to Paul,' and another, 'I belong to Apollos,' are you not merely men?" People often belong to the cult of certain leaders, they follow particular persons and not the message of Christ. By that, they run the risk of falling, like a 'pack of cards,' with the person. Paul planted, Apollos watered, and the growth comes from the grace of God. No matter how important a preacher may be, the message is more important, it is not his word, but that of God, that must prevail. As Paul concludes, "For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building."

In the Gospel (Luke 4:38-44) Jesus shows us how to do the work of God. Jesus had worked a miracle in Simon's house, by healing the mother-in-law. Simon will later be entrusted with the guardianship of the faith. Once the woman received her healing, she immediately got back to work. She began to serve them. That was her way of preaching the good news. She may not directly go on a mission, but she supported those who went on a mission. Jesus also for the second day running, cast out demons that were claiming knowledge of him. Early next morning, He went away to a lonely place to pray and the people came to Him. He however said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.” This is what Jesus wants of his followers too, never to be attached to a particular place, or followers. To be ready to carry the message everywhere. The crowd does not belong to the preacher if he truly preaches Christ and his good news. Someone plants the faith, another waters it, but it takes the grace of God to make sense of their efforts. For those who support the mission as well, they must not also be limited in their support to only a particular person, whom they fancy. Your support is for the mission of Christ and not the preacher. Some seek their good and glory, at the expense of the mission they have received, a child of God must be wise, at not supporting something that does not glorify God.

Let us pray: Lord, here I am, send me. Lord, help me also, to support those who bear authentic witness to your presence in the world. Amen.

+Remain blessed