Proclaiming the Gospel 

In the Gospel reading today we hear about two brothers, Simon and Andrew, who are called to follow Jesus.  Jesus says to them, “I will make you fishers of men.”  Soon after, we hear about the call of another two brothers, James and John.  The reading ends by telling us that Jesus went “throughout all Galilee…proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom…”

I wonder if this could lead us to think that missionary work is all about “proclaiming the gospel” and simply passing on a message or some information?  In fact we do also hear in the reading that Jesus was, “…healing every disease and every affliction among the people.”  And so, his words were accompanied by deeds.

At masses this weekend, Fr. Lawrence Danladi MSP, of the Missionary Society of St. Paul (MSP) will be speaking to us and making an appeal for support of the work of making the Good News of Jesus Christ known around the world.  His visit happens to coincide with “Caritas Sunday” which is appropriate since the organisation Caritas also seeks to spread the love of Jesus in good works.

In the parish, we will do our own Caritas collection in a few weeks’ time so I do hope that you will be able to support both these great enterprises generously, since proclaiming the kingdom means deeds as well as words.  

God bless, Fr Kevin.