Tuesday, August 15, 2017

The ‘Good News’ Is for the Whole World

The Scripture readings at Mass this weekend focus on a common theme: the salvation of the Lord is not just for a select group of people; it is available to everyone, even foreigners.

In the gospel reading, a Canaanite woman, a foreigner, came to Jesus and begged for help. Her daughter was gravely ill, and she knew that Jesus had the power to heal people. Up until this time, Jesus had focused His efforts on the people of Israel, but this foreign woman had so much trust in the Lord that Jesus actually changed His plans and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”

Throughout most of the history of Israel, the people of the covenant believed that Yahweh was their God alone. Since foreigners were born into the “wrong” nation—that is, not Israel—the belief back then was that they were not part of God’s Chosen People, and therefore, could be ignored.

When Jesus came and fulfilled all the prophecies of Israel, everything changed. It was now possible for any person—regardless of race, creed, or nationality—to be in a covenant relationship with God. A person was no longer thought to be either blessed or cursed based on which nation he happened to be born into. Now any person could be blessed by having a personal faith in Christ.

At the very end of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus gave what is known as the Great Commission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

This means that as Christians, we have been commanded by the Lord Himself to spread the Gospel message to all the world. There are countless places around the globe that have NEVER heard the Good News of the Gospel. Some places are located in foreign lands 12,000 miles away; others are in cubicles at the office 12 feet away.

For many centuries, Christians took the Great Commission very seriously. Missionaries spread the Gospel message to the far corners of the globe. In our day and age, however, sharing the Good News has become very politically incorrect. Discussing your religious beliefs with others is now defined as “imposing your intolerant values on others,” which violates the most important modern-day world view: moral relativism, the idea that all beliefs and values are equal.

The ancient Israelites did not share their knowledge of God with foreigners because they thought Yahweh did not care for those people from other countries (although He surely did). Nowadays, many Christians do not share their knowledge of Christ with others because it’s considered impolite.

The moral relativists and their doctrine of “all views are equal” have done a fabulous job of shutting up the average Christian. And I just can’t help but think the Lord is shaking His head and muttering, “What’s the matter with you people? Do you believe that I am the ‘way and the truth and the life,’ or not?!”

So let’s start with baby steps. First, let’s practice some low-key approaches to evangelization, such as St. Francis’ teaching: “Always preach the Gospel. If necessary, use words.”

Actions do speak louder than words. Living a moral, decent, unselfish life will make other people curious, especially in our immoral, indecent, self-absorbed culture. It might even create an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ…with actual words.

Another concept that should help is: “You don’t have to proclaim to everyone that you are a Christian. But if they happen to find out, make sure they’re not surprised.”


So please, do not let whiny politically correct moral relativists silence you. The Good News of the Gospel is indeed for the whole world, as clearly stated by the Scripture readings this week. We have been commanded by Our Savior to help spread the message.

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