Friday 13th September
“We go into strict training, like fighters at the games.”
1 Corinthians 9:16-19,22-27
The Brisbane Olympics are still 6 years away, but many people are already in strict training, aiming for their goal of participating. Some people have been preparing since they were young. But many of the athletes won’t win a medal. Even the winners will only gain temporary glory and material rewards. As St Paul tells us, all the fighters at the games went into strict training just to win a wreath that withered away, but we share the Good News for a wreath that will never wither.
How do we approach our duty of preaching the Gospel? Do we seek the earthly rewards of the good opinion of people? We can see from the lives of the saints that following Jesus won’t make us popular. We will have to make small sacrifices if we want to be like them. St Paul, please help us to imitate you and make ourselves all things to all people in order to save some at any cost, for the sake of the gospel. Then Jesus will give us a share in its blessings.