22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news.

If you want one word that characterizes the Christian life, you’d find it hard to do better than “go.” Abraham left his homeland to go where God called him (Genesis 12:1). The Israelites left Egypt to go to the Promised Land. Jesus left his heavenly throne to go to his people. And in today’s Gospel, he goes from town to town, preaching the good news of his kingdom. It would have been much easier for him to stay put and let people come to him. But he didn’t. He was constantly on the move, trying to reach as many people as he could.

This pattern continued when Jesus sent his apostles to “Go . . . and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). And go they did! They traveled far and wide, at great personal sacrifice, to tell people about a God who would leave his throne, be crucified, and rise again.

This “going” continues even now. Believers serve in soup kitchens and homeless shelters. They provide outreach to prisoners. They offer Bible studies and small groups where they can share their faith and invite other people to encounter the Lord. Some even move across countries and continents to reach people with the gospel.

Jesus asks every Christian to go, to leave what’s comfortable and familiar and share the hope that we’ve found. Some of us can participate in parish ministries and mission efforts, and some can’t. But everyone can still answer the call to go. We go when we intercede for suffering people miles away and donate to organizations that serve them. We go when we call or visit a sick friend and encourage or pray with them. We go when we offer to drive someone to church or to the grocery store. We go whenever we share our faith with someone else. Going and making disciples often requires sacrifice, but the reward is so great. We get to be coworkers with Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:9).

Today, think about how God has gone out of his way to find you and has sent people to care for you. Ask the Spirit to help you find creative ways to go and reach people with his love.

“Jesus, I will go for you. Here I am, Lord. Send me.”

1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Psalm 33:12-15, 20-21
Luke 4:38-44