After introducing himself, and speaking about receiving the call from the Papal Nuncio, he was asked a few questions by the attending press. And in the first question he was asked about his vision for the Church. And he gave a great answer, he said “I don’t have a vision, Jesus has a vision…The only vision I have” he said, “is to communicate the Gospel…. but then the big question is”, the Bishop asked “how is that done?”
And that, indeed, is a very important question. We know we must communicate the Gospel, but How do we communicate the Gospel. When we are confronted by a non-believer, or an angry family member at Thanksgiving dinner, or a confused parishioner…HOW we communicate the Gospel is of great importance. Do we do so with patience, gentleness, clarity, with a tone of accusation, with embarrassment over Church teaching, wishing to water it down in order not to offend political correctness? It’s not always easy to know HOW to communicate the Gospel.
And I thought about this part of the bishop’s press conference in light of the Gospel this morning. The Lord Jesus is approached by Pharisees who condemn him for supposedly violating the sabbath. Now, the Lord could have responded to the Pharisees in a lot of ways. He could have argued with them, he could have condemned them for trying to trap him in some sort of technicality, he could have displayed his divine glory to them and had them cowering in fear. We do well to take note HOW the Lord engaged his opponents throughout the Gospels, for he certainly gives us some very valid options...which may or may not include making a whip out of cords and flipping over tables if the opportunity presents itself.But at least in this instance, the Lord responds to his critics, his opponents, by drawing their attention to the Scriptures. He knows the Scriptures well, and so should we. He redirects the conversation, and the condemnation, to speak about the deeper meaning of the Scriptures.
HOW we communicate the Gospel is more art than science, really, in fact. The HOW comes through practice, reflection on our successes and failures, conviction in the truth of the Church’s teaching, it comes through study of the Scriptures, certainly.
But most importantly, the HOW comes from deep union with God, from authentic holiness. Remember, just two chapters earlier in Matthew’s Gospel, the Lord says, when you are brought before kings and governors because of me, do not worry what you are to say, the holy spirit will give you the words.” Our effectiveness at communicating the Gospel comes from deep union with God.
When we have cultivated that attentiveness to the voice and guidance of the Holy Spirit in the ordinary circumstances of our life, we will be able to hear him speaking to us in those extraordinary circumstances, when we are called to witness to the faith. This is what made Mother Theresa and Saint Francis, St. Ignatius our patron, such effective communicators of the Gospel: their holiness gave them authority, their love for God and love for neighbor, the virtues that they cultivated.
May we cultivate that deep union with God this day through Word and Sacrament, penance and works of mercy, that we may be effective communicators of the Gospel for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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In thanksgiving for the Holy Father’s appointment of Bishop Malesic, that he may be blessed with all the spiritual gifts he needs for this tremendous responsibility in leading the Church of Cleveland in the effective preaching of the Gospel.
For the conversion of hearts hardened to the Gospel, for those who have fallen away from the Church, for non-believers and unrepentant sinners, and that we may bring the healing of the Gospel to their troubled hearts.
For the purification of our minds and hearts from the errors of the culture and from the lure of worldly attachments.
For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord
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