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Proclaiming the Gospel

Today in the readings, we have Saint Paul encouraging the Corinthians to imitate his example. In the Church in Corinth there were several problems and divisions. But Saint Paul says his aim was always clear. He compares his life to that of an athlete taking part in a race — of course every athlete trains and then runs only in order to win the prize! For Saint Paul, the prize was saving others by proclaiming the Gospel to them free of charge. He says, “Woe to me if I do not proclaim the Gospel.”

Dear brothers and sisters, how wonderful if we too could live our lives with this clear aim! To save others by proclaiming the Gospel to them, but, as Saint Francis of Assisi said, with our lives first, and then, when necessary, to use words.

In the Gospel, Jesus warns us of a possible danger: we can become hypocrites if we preach, but do not practise it first ourselves.

In today’s Eucharist, let us all pray for the grace to be preachers of the Gospel, but to first start by practising it ourselves with all our hearts, so that we might then preach it worthily with our lives and with our words to all those around us — in our homes, our neighbourhood and in our workplaces.

May the great blessings and graces reserved for all those who willingly proclaim the Gospel descend upon each one of us in this Eucharist.

Amen.

These reflections were shared during the homily for Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time, celebrated on 11 September 2026.

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