Our first reading holds a special place in my heart, as my
class chose this passage to be read at our ordination to the diaconate.
The
heart of this passage is the most basic summary of evangelism—to spread the
Gospel and bring people to the sacraments, especially Baptism. As a deacon and now as a priest, I take
great joy in the gift to preach and baptize in ministry, following the ranks of
men like Philipp.
While
deacons and priests have an official call to preach and baptize, the call to
evangelize is not limited to the ordained. In fact, the documents of the Second Vatican Council make
clear that it is your job as the laity to evangelize the world.
We
praise God for the gift of being converted by the Gospel and being brought into
God’s family through Baptism. We
also pray for the strength and wisdom needed to preach the Gospel at all times.
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