A Few Words On "The Word"

January 21, 2007
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21

Dramatic Preaching

As humans we love to be entertained. We enjoy movies, musicals, plays, and sporting events that capture our senses, engage our hearts, and challenge our realities. Some cultures view entertainment itself as a right that all people should be allowed to enjoy. At the core of this need for entertainment is a human love for the dramatic.

Drama as an art form has existed for centuries. Plays written by the Greeks are still popular today and of course everyone has heard of Shakespeare, an amazing sculptor of words and drama. Often, our desire for what is dramatic spills over into our own lives. People sometimes choose to exaggerate reality or stories in an attempt to put more excitement or drama into a situation. However, we are usually most touched when we witness a dramatic change or an extraordinary act in someone else's life.

Today's gospel reading is without a doubt one of the most dramatic stories in the New Testament. Jesus has been preaching to the people in Galilee and is gradually gaining renown as a great teacher. One day at the synagogue, Jesus selects a passage from Isaiah that describes someone who will lift up the poor and oppressed, provide liberty to captives, and bring healing to the sick. In bold and dramatic fashion, Jesus reads this passage and takes his seat. As those in the synagogue wait with anticipation Jesus finally says, "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."

Not only is Jesus' statement dramatic for us today, it's also extremely relevant. Jesus has come to preach forgiveness, liberty, and justice but not just through his words. Jesus doesn't just preach a dramatic message; he works to make it a reality in the lives of all people.

Jesus style of preaching is reminiscent of something another great peacemaker said that sums up how we as peacebuilders should live. St. Francis of Assisi once stated, "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words." St. Francis realized that our actions really do speak louder than the words we say.

It's no doubt vital to be able to talk about justice and understand its importance but until we actively work for justice, as Jesus and Francis did, our words have little meaning both in our own lives and the lives of others. In the end, a dramatic lifestyle is essentially about action. We can embellish stories we tell in an attempt to persuade others or we can choose to live a life that actively preaches justice. Action is what speaks loudest to those around us and dramatically begins to change our world.

Reflection Question

Who are some people you know that have actively preached a gospel of justice?

In what ways can you both grow in your knowledge of the Gospel and actively preach it to others?

Join us in our Forum to discuss these questions!