Preach In Any Way You Can

“ Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases.”

First Reading: Job 7:1-4, 6-7

Is not man's life on earth a drudgery? Are not his days those of a hireling? He is a slave who longs for the shade, a hireling who waits for his wages. So I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been told off for me. If in bed I say, "When shall I arise?" then the night drags on; I am filled with restlessness until the dawn. My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle; they come to an end without hope. Remember that my life is like the wind; I shall not see happiness again.

Resp. Psalm: Psalms 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

Second Reading: 1^st Cor. 9:16-19, 22-23

If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my recompense? That, when I preach, I offer the gospel free of charge so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.

Gospel: Mark 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue He entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you." He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come." So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

Reflection

By Benj Santiago

“Brothers and sisters: If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it….” (1Cor 9:16)

“He told them, ““let us go on nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”” (Mk 1:38)

I’ve been with preachers who use the pulpit and the multimedia to preach the gospel to many people. Some people I’ve met in the community I was in preach the gospel by their examples, and by how they put their time, treasures, and talent to spread the good news. Some uses both, and one of them is my father-in-law who is an incessant preacher. He takes all opportunity to preach the gospel. He can rattle off verses in the bible like an automatic glossary. He has spent his retirement years reaching out to people through his ministry and went to spreading the gospel on TV.

He lives what he preaches. He does not boast about it, and he does not get paid doing it. In fact he has spent his own retirement money to spread the gospel. He has taken it as an obligation imposed on him and is following the same example and purpose that Christ has come.

He inspires me to do the same as I am called for the same purpose, to spread the gospel of the Lord. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the inspiration, and the wisdom to see a clear purpose in our existence. We ask You to pour down on us Your spirit of zeal that we maybe like Jesus to others in preaching and living Your gospel. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ!. Amen.

Action

This day, do something to spread the gospel of the Lord by reading the gospel reading for the day and picking up one verse that struck you, then write up your reflection. You can either post it in your FB page or get together with friends and share to them your reflection. Or simply live out the message you receive from your reflections.

Pray also for your priests and preachers. Pray that they may continue to have a healthy and upright life worthy to spread the gospel of the Lord.