Proclaim the Gospel with Words!
A Reflection on Luke 10:13-16 on the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi – 4 October 2024
In calling for conversion, Jesus does not hesitate to clearly rebuke those towns where the people refused to believe, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!” (Luke 10:13 NABRE), while he warns, “If you do not repent you will all perish” (Lk 13:3 NABRE). Undoubtedly, people recoiled at what Jesus said. He is being crystal clear concerning the consequences of rejecting the Gospel. Harsh, direct; yes! But these words had to be said. How could Jesus have loved and remained silent?
Words are so powerful that Jesus is the personification of the Word of God (John 1:14). In speaking, God creates. In His preaching and in His comportment, Jesus shows His deep union with the Father through words, the Gospel. What He wished to convey to His hearers (and to all humanity) comes directly from the Father (John 12:49).
Miracles and healings are important signs that Jesus is God, and they are, of course, immensely popular. Who would not want to receive healing? Who would not want to be fed miraculously? But Jesus came to preach the Gospel using words, to call the world to repentance, to turn away from sin and death, and return to God. That is true healing, eternal healing. Deeds alone are not enough. The Lord, with His manner of preaching, constantly reminds us that words, though they may be difficult to say and hear, are necessary. A failure to announce the Gospel is a failure in love.
For those who do not know the Gospel, repentance and authentic conversion is often difficult. Like our predecessors in Eden, we tend to want to hide our sin. Adam and Eve “hid themselves from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:8 NABRE) Today we are much more sophisticated; we tend to camouflage our sin through an assumption that we are “basically good people.” It is the world telling us that “I’m OK and you’re OK.” But we are not OK. As St Paul boldly announced,
“There is no distinction; all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:22b–23 NABRE) and “by your stubbornness and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself for the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God…”
(Romans 2:5 NABRE)
The Gospel reminds us that we must personally acknowledge our sin, repent, and convert. Likewise, it is paramount that we model the love of Christ in calling others to that same repentance and conversion. Repentance is a turning, or returning, toward Christ, toward grace. Jesus’ words are demanding, firm, and unambiguous in calling everyone to live in the truth, to seek Salvation, and to do His will. In a world which embraces, a relativistic approach to faith, where any god will do, today’s Gospel may seem harsh, even scary, yet these are the words of eternal life (John 6:68). To remain silent is a failure in love for our neighbor and God.
Today, we celebrate the Memorial of St Francis of Assisi. Our culture often honors this thirteenth century saint for his love of God’s creation and acts of kindness. It is not unusual to see his picture on coffee cups adorned with the saying, "Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words." Sweet and sentimental, but most historians agree, St Francis never said this, nor did He live this way. Francis was known in his own lifetime less for his acts than for his preaching, and he never stopped preaching. Using words to announce the Gospel are vital. St Bonaventure wrote that St Francis went from town to town passionately proclaiming the Word. Once,
“When the people were gathered, he called for silence, but could scarcely be heard above the racket made by some swallows that were building nests there. In the hearing of all the people, the man of God addressed them and said: “My sister swallows, it is time now for me to speak because you have said enough already. Listen to the word of God and keep silence until his message is finished.” (Bonaventure 12.4)
St Francis also wrote the various friars spread across several different countries that,
[God] has sent you through all the world that by word and deed you may bear witness to His voice, and you may make known to all that there is no other Almighty besides Him. Persevere under discipline and obedience and with a good and firm purpose fulfil what you have promised Him. The Lord God offers Himself to you as to His sons. (St Francis Letter to All the Friars)
Today’s Gospel reminds us that it is an act of love to call all we know to repentance and salvation. God calls us to announce the Gospel as well as live it. The world is not OK. The Savior is waiting if we will but speak the words which cause our neighbor to look to Him. Let us honor St Francis today by speaking the Gospel, using deeds only when necessary. Again, from St Paul,
But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? (Romans 10:14 NABRE)
Endnotes
St Bonaventure. Bonaventure: The Soul’s Journey into God; The Tree of Life; The Life of St. Francis. Ed. Richard J. Payne. Trans. Ewert Cousins. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1978. Print. The Classics of Western Spirituality.
St Francis of Assisi, and Paschal Robinson. Writings of Saint Francis of Assisi. Philadelphia: The Dolphin Press, 1906. Print.
New American Bible. Revised Edition. Washington, DC: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2011. Print.”