Go and Announce the Gospel

Of the dismissals we have at Mass, according to the New Roman Missal, this has to be my favorite.  From the time of the early Church our mandate has been to preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Now there were a few centuries there in which we became side-tracked and went down some other paths.  But this has remained a constant of our baptismal faith, that is to pass on the faith which we have received.

This past week I was at a meeting in which the HHS mandate on insurance and contraception was discussed.  During the time one of the Fathers shared an article which had several errors and false statements in regards to the Catholic Church, and it's teachings.  Some there suggested that the Bishop should require some sort of prayer to be said at all of the Masses throughout the Diocese.  While prayer is very important, and we really do not rely on the Holy Spirit enough, we might also catechize.

While I do not expect politicians and journalist to know the basic teachings of the Church, I would hope that persons coming to Mass each Sunday understand the basic teachings of the Catholic Church.  And as such we as catholics should not be shy or embarrassed to speak the truth of our faith, and what we believe in.  It is if we do not want to hurt feelings or seem arrogant, so we remain quiet in pronouncing our faith.  It behooves us to make it clear what the beliefs of the Church are.  Vatican II certainly encouraged the laity, as well as the clergy, to take responsibility for the faith which we pronounce.

More so, it has occurred to me these last several weeks that I have become a regular fixture at the hospital.  While I am not the "official" chaplain by any means, I am recognized by the staff, which feels comfortable in recommending patients who might want to see a priest - catholic and non-catholic.  Now I have gone to the hospital every week, and I go often for emergencies.  So I am there a lot.

But the point is that for many this is a positive image of the Church.  We are not these strange critters who have strange rituals and dress in flowing robes.  The more we engage in the community with our ministries of healing, care for the sick and the poor, and continue to speak up on issues of justice, all the more the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is proclaimed.

It is important to remain true to the mission that has been given to us at Baptism.  We are Stewards of the faith we have received.  There is a writer who suggested the we Christians do not always understand the power we are invoking.  At Mass we should have seat belts and crash helmets.  Our parish communities have to be an occasion of catechesis.  So, now go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.