In the Spirit of Sabbato Infra Hebdomadam XXIV Post Octavam Pentecostes
As the liturgical calendar progresses in the wake of Pentecost, the Church calls us to meditate on the mission of evangelization, rooted in faith and lived through action. The readings from Romans 10:10–18 and Matthew 4:18–22 resonate profoundly with this theme, urging us to embrace our vocation to proclaim the Gospel with fervor and conviction.
Faith in the Heart, Proclaimed by the Lips
In Romans 10:10–18, St. Paul underscores the inseparable relationship between faith and proclamation:
“For, with the heart, we believe unto justice; but, with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation” (Rom 10:10).
This passage invites us to reflect on the nature of faith as both an interior assent and an outward testimony. St. Augustine, in his commentary on the Psalms, reminds us that this dual dynamic reflects the unity of the Christian life:
“Faith is first kindled in the heart, where the soul recognizes the truth of God. But it cannot remain there; it must overflow into confession, for the heart alone does not suffice for salvation. The mouth must proclaim what the heart believes” (Enarrationes in Psalmos 115).
The Apostle’s subsequent question—“How shall they hear without a preacher?”—pierces the heart. St. John Chrysostom eloquently emphasizes the urgency of this mandate:
“It is not enough to possess the faith; it must be sown in the hearts of others. The preacher is as a herald of the king, who must proclaim boldly and with authority the message entrusted to him” (Homilies on Romans 18).
As the Word of God is proclaimed through human voices, it fulfills its divine mission, extending salvation to the ends of the earth.
The Call to Discipleship and Action
In Matthew 4:18–22, we encounter the call of the first disciples: Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Their immediate response—leaving behind nets, boats, and families—embodies the radical nature of discipleship.
St. Gregory the Great reflects on the significance of their swift obedience:
“They had heard only one word from the Lord, and they left all they had. Consider what they left and what they gained: they forsook earthly things and found heavenly. They abandoned fleeting possessions to lay hold of eternal treasures” (Homiliae in Evangelia 5).
The juxtaposition of these two readings challenges us to examine our own response to the call of Christ. Do we, like the apostles, leave behind our figurative “nets” to follow Him unreservedly? Or do we cling to worldly comforts, hesitating at His summons?
St. Cyril of Alexandria provides a profound insight into the transformative power of this call:
“The call of Christ is not only to follow, but to be made into something new: ‘I will make you fishers of men.’ He transforms the weak into instruments of His divine work, drawing souls into the net of salvation” (Commentary on Luke 5).
Evangelization in the Spirit of Pentecost
As we reflect on these readings within the context of the post-Pentecostal season, the Church’s missionary spirit comes alive. The Apostles, once timid fishermen, became bold proclaimers of the Gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit. Their example reminds us that evangelization is not reserved for the clergy or religious but is the responsibility of every baptized Christian.
St. Francis de Sales encourages the laity to embrace this mission in their daily lives:
“Your state in life does not excuse you from the call to holiness and the duty to spread the faith. It is by the sanctification of your ordinary tasks and your words that you bring the light of Christ to others” (Introduction to the Devout Life).
A Prayerful Response
As we meditate on these passages, let us ask the Lord for the grace to deepen our faith and proclaim it boldly. May we, like the Apostles, leave behind whatever hinders us from answering Christ’s call, and may we, like St. Paul, zealously preach the Gospel “that they may believe.”
Let us conclude with a prayer inspired by St. Augustine:
“Lord, let our hearts believe, and let our mouths confess. Make us heralds of Your truth, that through us, Your Word may reach the ends of the earth. Amen.”
May these readings inspire us to live the Gospel with courage and fidelity, in the spirit of the liturgical season and the enduring mission of the Church.