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December 10: Preach


By: Bob Dean

First, read Romans 15:14-21

When was the last time you preached?

You may respond “I’m not a preacher,” imaging a cleric in front of a congregation, or a street corner preacher shouting out. But all Christians are called to preach.

The English “preach” has roots in a Latin compound: “prae” (before) plus “dicare”  (to proclaim). We aren’t all called to proclaim our faith before a crowd, but we are called to share our faith before others -perhaps one-on-one or in a small group.

Paul wrote that he was confident the Christians in Rome were “able to instruct one another” leaving him free to go elsewhere. He had already preached “from Jerusalem as far as Illyricum” (a Roman province near today’s Bosnia and Herzegovina).

His ambition was “to proclaim the good news” of Jesus Christ where it had not been shared, including Spain! He wanted to fulfill the scripture, “Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand” (Isaiah 52:15 Septuagint translation).

“Preach the gospel; if necessary use words.” Often attributed to Francis of Assisi, there is no evidence he said this. Francis strove to live like Jesus, but also saw the need to speak about Jesus.

800 years ago Francis crossed combat lines during the Third Crusade and asked to meet with Sultan Malik al-Kamil in Egypt. The Sultan had tried to negotiate peace with the Crusaders, but to no avail.

Some 40 years after the meeting, Bonaventure wrote the Sultan was impressed by Francis risking life itself to see him. But Francis also shared the good news with words. Bonaventure wrote both men left the meeting changed. “Thus it came about that the divine fire burned still more perfectly in Francis' heart...” 

Our lives must show God’s love, but we must also tell others our source of strength to show grace, extend forgiveness, and love others. Then “those who have never heard of him shall understand.”



Prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace and proclaimer of your grace. Amen.

Action Challenge:

Write down one way you will preach/proclaim the Good News of Jesus this Advent, then do it.

Discussion/Reflection Questions:

  1. Am I willing to dialogue with someone of another faith, with a goal of greater understanding for both of us?
  2. Who have I never reached out to before who may need to hear my story of faith?
  3. Who do I know, but have not shared my faith on a deeper level with them?
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