https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100126.cfm
We All Have the Gift to Share the Good News
A priest told a seminarian that the day had come for him to learn the art of preaching. After they got up and said their prayers, the lad had a pen and paper in hand. He figured he would need to take some notes.
The priest said, “Let’s go for a walk.” They walked all day. Along the way, they met a beggar at the edge of town and invited him to join them for breakfast. During the meal, the man revealed that after an accident he had been disabled. He had lost his job and couldn’t find work. The good father asked the man to join them on their walk.
They met many people; some chatted briefly, while others poured out their hearts. They prayed with each of them! One person even asked the beggar if he wanted a job, and he accepted.
By the end of the day, the student was discouraged, carrying his notepad and pen all day. The priest sensed his growing frustration, and the young man asked, “When will we ever talk about the art of preaching?” The wise priest answered, “My son, preaching isn’t about standing in a pulpit and delivering pleasant words and ideas to a captive audience. It isn’t about learning techniques to convey those ideas.” Preaching the Kingdom of God is what we have been doing today.”
“Before we use words to tell people about Jesus from the pulpit, we must become that Word ourselves. To preach with authority on Sunday, we must be with people all week, love them, and do all we can for them in that sacred encounter. Almighty God loves every one of the people we met today, and please God, they will know it because we were there.”
GOSPEL CHALLENGE:
To preach God’s Kingdom effectively from the pulpit, we must know and love our people and be the Lord Jesus to them on the street. The street is always there for the majority who never listen from a pulpit.
Love Your Neighbor!
Father Rick Pilger, I.C.
