Friday 11th September 2020. Read 1st Corinthians 9:16-27, Psalm 84 and Luke 6:39-42
“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Luke 6:41)
The success of St. Paul as a great evangelizer came from the fact that he did not simply preach, he allowed his preaching affect his own life. That is to say; he practiced what he preached. He was not like the hypocrites Jesus strongly condemned.
The best form of preaching is the preaching that does not involve words. I may tell you how dirty your shirt is and keep repeating it all day and it will have no impact but when I decide to wear a clean shirt myself, you will be the one asking how you can get a clean shirt.
Jesus says, if you want to help your brother take out the speck in his eye, first remove the log that is in your own eye so you can see clearly to help your brother. Good preaching begins with an examination of conscience. It is easy to preach when you ask how the readings apply to your own life.
What good will it be to help others achieve heaven only to end up in hell yourself? What good will it be if I secretly do the very things I condemn while preaching to others? What good will it be if I am just a signpost?
St. Paul says: “If I preach the Gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting.” The fact that I am a priest, for instance, is not a license to sin because God will not give me any preferential treatment on judgment day.
So as I preach, I must exercise a great deal of self-control like an athlete who disciplines himself in other to win the prize. I must make sure I do not fall into the same sins I preach about. As St. Paul says, “I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, open my eyes so I can be a better leader every day. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of the 23rd week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1st Corinthians 9:16-27, Psalm 84 and Luke 6:39-42)
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