RBWords

    The preaching of the gospel can take many forms.  It can run from a solo internet effort like my own to a vast network of charitable work like the international Catholic Relief Services.  It may mean anything from a drink of water given to a transient person to large scale operations for masses of refugees.  But none of this happens without the help of others, whether "hands-on" or financial!  I could not do this daily reflection/homily without the help of my "webmaster," Craig Baker, who, with his wife, Christina, designed the website where this reflection is posted each day (www.rbwords.com) and who responds with patience to the inevitable computer emergencies that befuddle and frustrate us lesser mortals.  The same is true for all those individuals whom I meet in the course of preaching parish missions and who help me to accomplish my mission of preaching the gospel.

     The passage from the small Third Letter of John in today's first scripture commends the community for assisting some itinerant preachers!  It notes that they are not accepting anything from "the pagans."  That could be a bit like saying in our own day that they are receiving no government help!  The effect of helping the itinerant "strangers" is to become "co-workers in the truth!"  We Dominicans (the Order of Preachers), one of whose official mottoes is "Veritas!" (Truth), know well that we could not accomplish our given task of preaching without the help of those who share their resources with us.  We regularly pray for our parents, friends and benefactors!  Whoever you are and wherever you are, you are our "co-workers in the truth!"  Many, many thanks!  AMEN