The work of proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel is indeed an arduous task and might I say can be lonely in its effort. I say this as a priest entrusted with this awesome responsibility, but not as a statement of any dissatisfaction with my ministry in priesthood. I say it as a way of acknowledging what Jesus fully knew, and for the fact that this work is to be the work of us all who count ourselves followers and disciples of Jesus. As He sent out his disciples, they were always in the company of another and with nothing but their reliance upon the Lord. The call to discipleship is constant and requires total commitment. And this call requires the support and encouragement of one another if it is to meet with success. The Good News is not merely a pick-me-up and make-me-feel-good message. It is a message of challenge to the strongest among us and a proclamation of new life born of conversion and repentance. It is a message that requires the acknowledgment of weaknesses found in life and seeks solutions and answers from God and His divine will for all of creation. The message to be proclaimed is not an easy one to hear, let alone speak to others. Our own sin and fault must be brought into the light of faith so that strength can replace all that is evil, and goodness overcome the dark. It is not easy for any one of us to stand before someone we love and care about, and challenge them to change. We are afraid of coming across too "holier-than-thou". We run the risk of the one we challenge coming right back at us with "Who do you think you are??" We hold back the truth because it seems gossipy or critical and in the end become what we do not want to be - gossipy and critical, when we speak our frustration to someone else. We fail to present an alternative to the way we live already and therefore miss out on the kind of life that God knows we can have even now. The Gospel of Jesus Christ brings life as God always intended it and does so through ridding us of our selfishness and need to be in charge. It opens up the glory found in surrender to the will of God and the fact that He will provide for all we need, if we let Him. In so many ways it goes against what is "normal" for our human nature, and therefore calls for constant attention. The work of the true disciple is tiring indeed, but when shared and encouraged by another, truly rewarding. Like disciples sent in pairs with nothing but the sandals on their feet, the shirt on their backs and the very presence of Jesus their hearts may we never tire of proclaiming the way of life Jesus presents. Pray that the Spirit of God help us discern His will for us all and allow the true meaning of the message of repentance be heard by, and through, us all.

© 2006 Peter J. Andrews