Word to the Wise
Saturday, November 30, 2013 - Nov. 30 - St. Andrew, Apostle
[Rom 10:9-18 and Matt 4:18-22]But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how an they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent?
These ringing words from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans are much quoted amongst us Dominicans, whose official name is the Order of Preachers! That's why we put the initials O.P. after our names. From the very beginning of our order, the church, in the person of Pope Honorius III in 1216, gave the charism and task of preaching to Dominic and his small band of preachers. Prior to that time, the only official preachers had been bishops! Needless to say, bishops and Dominican friars are not the only preachers, but there are still not enough preachers. One important reason for that is the common failure of the ordinary baptized person to take on the task! And truth be told, the "official" church has not been encouraging it. Pope Francis has made an important step toward that encouragement in his very recent "apostolic exhortation," "The Joy of the Gospel." He notes the many small ways in which we can call people to faith as well as more public ones and encourages everyone to take the task of evangelizing.
The "new evangelization" that Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI and now, Pope Francis have been promoting is not aimed at non-Christians but at those who believe but have "fallen away" from the practice of the faith for whatever reason, as well as those who are more or less "part time" Catholics, attending church when it is convenient or only on "important occasions." What is distinctive about Pope Francis' efforts is the encouragement that he offers.
I will be beginning this weekend the first of two Advent parish missions in southern Mississippi. In every parish mission, I challenge the people to take their baptismal commitment seriously and share their faith with others. One of the first tasks of the baptized Christian is to forgive and reconcile. As difficult as that can be, it is not the only thing. There is the outreach to all who are suffering in whatever way. Everyone who has been baptized has been "sent" to preach the gospel, but we don't realize it because our baptism remains something in the past! The challenge is to make it something present and powerful and communicative! The feast of St. Andrew is simply a good day to recall it, but the commitment is a continuing one! "How can they hear is there is no one to preach?" AMEN