The WORD in other words (2014) by Fr Francisco Estepa SVD – Holy Name University of Tagbilaran, Bohol
Friday 14th Week in Ordinary Time
In the past, one of the songs sung during the Mass has the following lyrics: “The Lord is good and the Lord is kind. He has given me life. The Lord is good and the Lord is King. Let me share the joy of my life.”
In the Gospel today, the Lord commissions his disciples to preach the good news. As commissioned, they are to preach God’s message and not their own message. We too, as baptized Christians, are called to spread the good news, to proclaim the Kingdom of God. It is really a sharing of our joy a the song above indicates because of our experience and belief in the goodness of God.
Even Though it is a sharing of joy, not all will be receptive of the message as pointed out in the Gospel: “We will be like sheep in the midst of wolves.” Despite the difficulties, like the rejection of of people close to us as the Gospel points out: “Brother will hand over brother to death,” we are assured of God’s presence as Jesus himself said: “the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
Such is God’s goodness. He will never abandon us in good times and in bad. Living the Gospel message is really a sharing of joy. Let us share the joy of our lives.
