We often say ‘easier said than done’. This saying holds in many human affairs. But it also seems true in divine affairs. What do I mean by ‘divine affairs’? God cannot have any difficulty in his work! It’s true. However, even Jesus needs our cooperation in proclaiming his gospel. But ‘bringing the Good News to the world’ sounds trite, banal, overused, and cliche. Christians heard it so much or too much. Nevertheless, have you attempted to bring someone to the faith, ever? I was born and raised a Catholic. And I went to a seminary and was ordained a priest. But I never went out to bring the gospel to my neighbours to this day. Here at my parish, the rectory is surrounded by residential houses. And I know none of the neighbours is a parishioner. Have I invited them to our Mass or other events? Never. Then, can I teach or even speak about evangelization? Why have I not ever spoken to my neighbours about the faith?
Yes, evangelization is so easier said than done. I need to overcome fears first – the fear of rejection, the fear of being politically incorrect, the fear of the hostility to the Christian faith. But even before speaking about fear, I need to overcome this laziness to remain in my comfort zone, to maintain what I have, and only to keep up with regular requests.
On this day of the memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, we read St Paul’s letters for the first reading. As we hear from St Paul’s second letter to Timothy, St Paul wrote this letter in prison. This letter sounds like a will before his execution. For the apostles, bring the Good News was not merely difficult. It was highly dangerous, risking their lives. And almost all of them (except St John the Apostle) was martyred. They all knew evangelization was more dangerous than said, but they kept preaching. A true faith!
I pray that our saints today may pray for us that we may also have the spirit of the power of love and of self-discipline, through which we may join our apostles in suffering for the gospel relying on the power of God.
