Preaching

Today, July 21, is a Memorial of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi.  In this morning's Readings is a sermon by him.  Besides saying that "...without faith it is impossible to please God."  St. Lawrence gives some profound thoughts about preaching as an apostolic duty.

And faith is not conceived unless the word of God is preached.  Faith comes through hearing, and what is heard is the word of Christ.  The preaching of the word of God, then, is necessary for the spiritual life, just as the planting of seed is necessary for bodily life.


Preaching, therefore, is a duty that is apostolic, angelic, Christian, divine.  ...  It is the source of faith, hope, charity, all virtues, all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, all the beatitudes of the Gospel, all good works, all the rewards of life, all the glory of paradise: Welcome the word that has taken root in you, with its power to save you.


All this wisdom from the seventeenth century holds true today.  St. Lawrence was the minister general of the Capuchins and is a Doctor of the Church.  Preaching is also giving witness to the word of God.  Living according to the word is preaching.  But that's not enough, that would certainly be a cop out, to be satisfied with just  living a good life.  Having an apostolate would be preaching personified, e.i., prison ministry, singing, writing, teaching religious ed, etc.  Let us pray for more preachers.