Being All Things To All People, For the Sake of the Gospel

Sunday, February 5, 2006
Job 7:1-4,6-7
Psalm 147:1-6
1 Corinthians 9:16-19,22-23
Mark 1:29-39

Click here for readings  (For quick review only; bring your Bible)

Imagine that you were transported back to the Wild West and found yourself in the middle of a huge gunfight. Would you rather have one gun with one bullet, or would you prefer a few guns and a whole box of bullets? When it came to ministering to people, St. Paul had a “many bullet” approach. He believed that he needed to “become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the Gospel, so that I too may have a share in it” (1Corinthians 9:22-23).

When Paul met with those who were eager and hungry for more of God, like Lydia, he explained the gospel message and he prayed with them (Acts 16:13-15). When he met people who were harassed by evil spirits, he prayed deliverance over them (16:16-18). When he met intellectuals, he reasoned with them in hopes that they would accept Jesus (17:16-34). When Timothy needed encouragement, Paul cheered him up and inspired him (2 Timothy 1:6-9). When the Galatians were falling backward, Paul challenged them quite abruptly to recall the way the Spirit had worked in their lives (Galatians 3:1-5).

Like Paul, we too need to have multiple responses that are all pointed toward the same goal: helping people come to know Jesus better. Sometimes that means being compassionate, and other times it means being challenging. Sometimes it means going out to comfort a friend in need, and other times it means praying for them in private. Sometimes it means reaching out to the poor, and other times it means sitting alone before the Blessed Sacrament interceding for them and asking the Spirit for wisdom.

God has a vast plan. He wants to see every human being come to know him and grow closer to him each day. As his ambassadors, we have been entrusted to fulfill this mission. So let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us get ready, so that when the opportunity arrives, we can relate to the poor and the rich, to the educated and the uneducated, and to everyone—for the sake of the gospel.

“Jesus, prepare me so that I can go out and tell everyone that you are Lord and Savior—and their best friend.”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. In Job's lament in the first reading (it will begin to be answered by the later readings), he complains of "restlessness." St. Augustine made a similar observation when he said, "our hearts are restless 'til they rest in Thee." Many men seek escape from their inner “restlessness” in friends, sports, alcohol, TV, even pornography. What about you? Which ones satisfy? Which ones don’t?
   
    
2. The responsorial psalm begins to answer Job when it says that our “good” and "gracious" Lord "rebuilds," “gathers,” "heals," and "sustains" us. How can you allow these truths to more deeply satisfy the restlessness within you?
   
    
3. In the second reading, St. Paul tells us that he is preaching the Gospel because he feels he is responding to an "obligation" he has to God. What do you think the nature of that obligation is? (Hint: see 2 Corinthians 5:14).
   
    
4. St. Paul also speaks of his willingness to "become all things to all." Remember: he is talking about dealing with people, not facts/truth. How flexible are you in reaching out to others about your Christian faith? What keeps you from being more flexible?
   
    
5. The Gospel today makes an incredible statement: even Jesus had to find time during the day to pray, even if it meant, “Rising very early before dawn.” Jesus needed to spend time each day speaking with his Father. How important to you is spending time in prayer every day? What steps can you take to develop a daily time of prayer, or deepen it?
   
    
6. The meditation focuses our attention on how St. Paul was ready in every circumstance to reach out to others with God's love. It goes on to say, “Like Paul, we too need to have multiple responses that are all pointed toward the same goal: helping people come to know Jesus better.” What are the circumstances and people you find the most challenging? What can you do to better prepare yourself to explain Christ to them?
   
    
7. Why not make up a list of family members and others that need to know Christ’s love and mercy, and begin praying for them. Also ask the Lord for opportunities to share your faith with them, and for wisdom and boldness when the opportunities occur. Share with the men at your next meeting any fruit from your prayers.

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer to St. Joseph  ~  Glorious St. Joseph, guide and protector of the Holy Family, we ask that you obtain for us from your son, Jesus, the strength and wisdom to lead our families to their Father in heaven. Most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we imitate your obedience to the will of God and be ever mindful of the vocation to which we have been called. Amen