Acts 13:26-33; John 14:1-6
Jesus as the High-Point of Every Evangelization and Preaching
Commenting on John the Baptist’s claim to be a “voice,” St. Augustine, rhetorically asks: what is the usefulness of a voice without words? By this, St. Augustine argues that the “Word,” Christ, makes a voice meaningful and useful. The same message is being put across to us today. If missionaries preach and evangelize, Jesus Christ is the center of the Christian message: we preach Christ.
The central message of Paul today is the fulfillment of Psalm 2: “You are my Son; this day I have begotten you” (Acts 13:33). We have a humble God who takes flesh to redeem us, through the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus’ taking flesh makes him as Son in relationship to his Father who never took flesh. But this reality necessitated a preparation from of old. The efforts put into the preparation for our redemption and its execution in the death and resurrection of Christ gives speech and content to Christian preaching, to evangelization.
But why preach Christ, why evangelize? The answer is provided by the gospel of today: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Evangelization is the act of pointing out to others and oneself that salvation is through Christ. We preach Christ because, for those who hope for another life beyond this present earthly life, Jesus is the vehicle that takes everyone there; to know Christ is to know the way to heaven; to imitate Christ is to be on track to heaven.
In addition to the virtue of “hope,” there is another reason why we evangelize and preach: Jesus makes a promise that he will be back to take us to heaven: “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be” (John 14:6). “Faith” and the trust that Jesus keeps his promises urges missionaries and preachers to keep reminding themselves and others that eternal life has been promised us in heaven. So, the certainty created by Faith makes the period of waiting (hope) for Jesus’ return worth the while waiting for.
Assignment for the Day:
Can you make it a point of duty to talk to someone about Christ today?
Fr Ayo,well done,God bless you,I will make it a point of duty to talk to someone about Christ not only on 22nd of April but in every day.
Thanks, sister!