5th Sunday in Ordinary Time [B]

February 5, 2024

Mark 1:29-39

Often, we believe that the task of preaching the Gospel is only for the bishops, the priests, and the deacons, or for the religious brothers and sisters or lay catechists. Yet, this is only partially true. The truth is that each baptized person has a responsibility. Yes, you and me! But How do we preach if we don’t have the talents or capacity to do that?

Firstly, we must recognize that to preach the Gospel is an essential part of our identity as Christians. To be Christian means we become the image of Christ, or ‘the other Christ’. In today’s Gospel, Jesus made it clear that His mission is to preach the Gospel. He refused to stop in one town and enjoy the praises of the people, but rather, He had to go to other places and preach. If Jesus is committed Himself in announcing the Good News, then we, as His image, are called to reflect this commitment also. A true Christian is one who faithfully preaches the Gospel.

Jesus recognizes this mission as part of His identity and hands it down to His Church as a commandment. After His resurrection, He instructed His disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you (Mat 28:19-20).” Again, this mission is not optional but a must for every disciple of Jesus.

The Church understands this mission, and thus, she teaches us, “Lay people also fulfill their prophetic mission by evangelization, “that is, the proclamation of Christ by word and the testimony of life… (CCC 905).” St. Thomas Aquinas, a theologian, wrote, “To teach to lead others to faith is the task of every preacher and of each believer (STh. III,71,4 ad 3).”

Yet, how do we preach if we do not have a talent and gift? Firstly, we recognize that they are kinds of preaching particularly entrusted to the clergy, like in the liturgy. The reason is that the Church wants to ensure that preaching in this sacred venue will be done solemnly and according to orthodoxy. However, there are many other opportunities for lay people to preach, and even, in fact, there are contexts in which only lay people can bring the Gospel: marriage and family.

In the family context, men and women are bound not only by their baptism to preach the Gospel but also by their marriage’s promises. Husband and wife bring each other closer to God, and parents educate their children to love God and train them in holiness. This mission requires no special talent or training but time and commitment. We spend time praying together as a family at home or in the church. We teach our children basic prayers. We offer a good role model to our children. We bring our children to our parish for baptism and other sacraments and receive various faith instructions from the priests and catechists.

The mission to preach the Gospel is not only essential to our identity as disciples of Christ, and even our salvation depends on it. Let St. Paul’s words be our motto, “Woe to me if I don’t preach the gospel (1 Cor 9:16).”

Rome

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP