Thursday 12 July
Matthew 10:7-15
The CIA had been tracking Osama Bin Laden for many years but until May 2011 he had evaded them. As the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks and the perceived enemy of the West, he was, without doubt, the world’s most wanted man. To the American government and, to be fair, probably the British government, his execution at the hands of the security services was only a matter of time.
Now you are probably thinking what an odd preamble to a reflection on the Gospel reading of the day. Well, bear with us and you will see where this is heading. It has emerged that in amongst computer files removed from Bin Laden’s hideout in Abbotabad, Pakistan were found emails calling for al-Qaeda to focus their efforts on recruiting Catholics to their cause and especially Irish Catholics. American al-Qaeda spokesman Adam Gadahn wrote to Osama bin Laden in January 2011, laying out reasons for reaching out to Catholics, particularly the Irish, and urging him to use public anger at the Church’s mishandling of clerical abuse to encourage them to convert to Islam. It seems both men were excited by the question: ‘Why do we not face them with Islam?’
How excited are you by a similar question: ‘Why do we not face people with Christianity?’ The Christian faith is grounded upon the idea of conversion, evangelization and proclamation, as today’s Gospel reveals. We have, however, developed sophisticated and refined defence mechanisms to avoid this issue. Although many and varied, they are all along the lines of ‘I don’t want to force my faith down people’s throats’ (who on earth would want to force anything down people’s throats?), ‘I preach by the way I live my life’ and ‘The way of Christ is one among many: let people choose which one they wish to follow.’ It is true that the gospel needs to be preached and proclaimed with great respect and regard for people, but sooner or later, if the faith is to be shared, we need to witness to it. If one of the world’s most dangerous terrorist networks was thinking about converting Irish Catholics to their cause, how much more should Catholics be proclaiming their faith to each other and going out to win people for Christ?
Lord, may my heart burn with a new joy and enthusiasm to witness to my faith, and may I never be ashamed of the gospel but proud and eager to share it.
Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9 • Psalm 79(80):2-3, 15-16
Matthew 10:7-15
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