Go into the World with Good News

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As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up.” (Mark 1:29-31)

When the mass ends, the priest usually says: “Go in peace”, “Go forth” or “Glorify the Lord by your life.” Whichever formula the priest adopts, the point we must get is that at each mass, we are sent out into the world as missionaries. We do not just come to attend Church and go back the same way.

Like servants, we have come to mass to receive instructions and gifts from our Master and those things are not meant for us alone but for all those to whom we go out to meet. When Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. So, when he noticed Simon’s mother-in-law sick with a fever, he went straight to lay his hands on her.

As children of God, when we leave the Church, we are to realize that our time in the Church was a time of spiritual impartation. We carry something with us when we leave, something we cannot see physically yet it is real.

More still, we even receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. We should never assume we are empty. We should consciously take what we have received and reached out to the sick; those who cannot come to church; those who do not yet believe in God; those who are passing through some difficulty or another.

With faith, we can lay our hands on people, talk to them, preach to them and we would be surprised at the outcome. A born-again Christian who never reaches out to others is a Christian who is ignorant of what he or she has within.

That evening, the whole city was gathered at the door of Peter’s house and Jesus did not turn anyone away. He healed many who were sick and cast out many demons.

Very early in the morning, Jesus went to a lonely place to pray, that is, to refuel. This is one reason why daily masses are very important for growth in the spiritual life. What was Jesus’ response when they found him? “Let us go on to the next towns that I may preach there also…”

To preach is to reach and reaching out is a sign that we know who and what we are as born-again children of God. Never be afraid of reaching out because you have Jesus on your side who as the book of Hebrews says “is able to help those who are tempted because he himself has suffered and been tempted.” (Heb. 2:18).

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, make me conscious of your presence within me always. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bible Study: Hebrews 2:14-18, Ps. 105:1-4,6-9, Mark 1:29-39).*

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

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