Our Venerable Father Patapius
2 Timothy 3:16-4:4; Luke 19:45-48
Nativity Fast.
Read 2 Timothy 3:16-4:4
“Your job, as a believer, is to bring others to Christ.” – Bishop Robert Barron
Not all of us are privileged like our clergy to regularly prepare and preach a homily to the assembled faithful, but St. Paul makes it clear in today’s reading from the second letter to Timothy that preaching is not a clerical responsibility. Rather, it is the responsibility of every member of the Body of Christ to preach Christ, both to those who have open hearts and minds to hear the Word of God and to those who are not prepared or outright do not desire to hear the Word of God.
This preaching, however, is not always with words. Preaching need not be a lecture on the moral life or an exposé of a great patristic writing. This preaching can be the sharing of our life in Christ and the great things he has done for us, first and foremost in His crucifixion and resurrection. This preaching can be seen in the way we live, how we treat others and our works of mercy. May we ask the Lord for opportunities to preach Christ to those around us, not only with our words but especially through our actions.