July 13, 2026

🕃 The Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel.
Our Venerable Father Stephen the Sabbaite.
Our Holy Father Julian, Bishop of Kenomane.
1 Corinthians 9:13-18; Matthew 16:1-6.

Read 1 Corinthians 9:13-18

We hear: “For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:16). St. Paul is speaking about his particular calling, but there is a sense in which we can also apply this statement to Christians generally, as a similar injunction is given to all Christ’s disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (cf Matt: 28)

How, then, should we go about with this task of preaching the gospel? The early Christian writer, Origen of Alexandria, distinguishes between the simple gospel narrative, that is, those things that were written in order to perpetuate the knowledge of Christ’s coming, the words as they are, stories and details about the life and works of Jesus; and the gospel as an exhortation which prepares for, and brings about the coming of Christ in the believer’s heart as a present reality. (cf. Commentary on John 1.26). 

The former is a story, but the latter is the meaning of the story as applied, and how it transforms the lives of those who accept it. For us, this means that it is not just a narrative about Jesus that we are called to recite to people, but a story that we’re called to tell. One that changes lives and shows  a living witness to this transformation. This is what Origen means by ‘the gospel’. 

So our preaching (in whatever form that takes) can never be separated from our living witness. Of course, this isn’t always easy. We might not think that we are the best examples of a life transformed by the power of Christ, but as Origen reminds us elsewhere: “What then shall I do, to whom the dispensation of the Word is committed? Although I am an “unprofitable servant,” I have, nevertheless, received from the Lord the commission “to distribute the measure of wheat to the master’s servants.” (Homilies on Genesis 10.)

In order to fulfill this injunction we have to commit ourselves fully to living the Christian life, as the Holy Tradition has handed it down to us – this means engaging in regular prayer, fasting and works of charity. It doesn’t mean that our witness will always be perfect, but it does mean that when we fail to live up to the name of Christian that our witness becomes one of repentance. 

So let us truly consider this a necessity as St. Paul did, and not be afraid to witness to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in our words and in our deeds. Conscious of our failings, but always striving to transform our lives into his likeness, so that we may bring others into communion with Him.