FORCE NO ONE TO ACCEPT JESUS


 Thursday, July 13, 2023


Weekday (14)


HENRY, Mm. (Opt Mem)


First Reading. Genesis 44: 18-21, 23-29; 45: 1-5

Psalm. 105: 16-21 (R. 5a)

Gospel. Matthew 10: 7-15


TOPIC FOR REFLECTION


THE MANDATE OF CHRIST: FALSE NO ONE TO ACCEPT THE GOOD NEWS.


It is said that salvation is personal. No one can false a carmel to drink water, it can only be taken to the river.


Jesus said to his apostles, “Preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. 


Jesus is also telling us today to go out and proclaim the good news. We are to preach the good news in any place we find ourselves. My dear, if we want people to listen to us, to be converted as we who are preaching are converted, we should preach more with our ways of life, than our flowery oratory words. 


Jesus went further to say, You received without pay, give without pay. 


Those of us who had already commercialised the good news of Christ, let us be careful. Some of us pastors who will always charge money for a prayer session should be very much careful.

God is warning us as a reminder that He gave us without charge, we should freely give without charge.


I hope we all know that the kingdom of God is priceless.


He further said: Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the labourer deserves his food. 


A good preacher should not be attached to the material wealth of this world, else such a person would be distracted, and lose focus.

Imagine a preacher who carries with him his luxury goods, will the mind not be on the luxury goods than the good news he comes to preach?


More reason Jesus said: Whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. As you enter the house, salute it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 


As a preacher, always give peace anywhere you go. However, I hope you know you can not give what you do not have, so for you to give peace,  you must be a man or woman of peace. 

If some did not listen to you, do not force them, let God handle them by Himself.  


Remember, He (God) said, Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgement for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town, and the individual who refuses to accept the good news.


If I may ask, are you ready to preach the good news of Christ without forcing anybody?


Peace ✌️ be with you.


Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS.

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