Posted by The WORD in other words (2006) by Remigio Domino SVD – Madrid, Spain
Wednesday 29th Week in Ordinary Time
I was hearing the confessions of penitents in one of the SVD parishes in the Democratic Republic of Congo when, for the first time in my ministry, a deaf-mute person sat beside me and started to mumble words that nobody could comprehend. Using the little knowledge I had of sign language, I greeted him: “Good morning,” “How are you?” and “What is your name?” But it was all in vain. I asked him to bow his head and prayed over him instead. After the prayer, he took a rosary from his pocket, and through his gestures, I understood that all he wanted was to have it blessed.
Making the message known is difficult. It has been revealed that, in Jesus Christ, we are co-heirs with the Jews, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise of God (Ephesians 3:6). But many do not seem to understand. Inequality, discrimination, and oppression continue to have a place in Christian communities (Galatians 3:28; James 2:1-4).
It has been made known that the Son of Man will come like a thief in the night and that everyone should be prepared for Him (Luke 12:35-40; 1 Thessalonians 5:2). But who really cares?
The proclamation of the Gospel will continue to encounter challenges. There will always be difficulties. Either we are not understood, or people are not listening to us (Matthew 13:14-15). But for those to whom the message has been made known, the mission continues until the return of the Master (Matthew 24:42-44).
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