You stumble day and night, and the prophets stumble with you. So I will destroy your mother- my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children. (Hosea 4: 5-6 NIV).

The people were getting lost because of Jesus. St. Paul was a persecutor of Christians. He was a Jew and because of his Judaism, he was rigorous. The Apostle of the Gentiles did not believe in the resurrection until he knew Jesus Christ and became passionate for Him. We Christians need to be passionate for Jesus, because He gave His life for us.

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ (Philipians 3:8).

At times, the people want so much knowledge in relation to the world and for Paul the only knowledge was in Jesus Christ. Therefore, he began to understand that the best present that he could give to a person would be Jesus Christ.

The mission of St. Paul was to bring salvation to the world. This world has many good things; but there does not exist a greater priviledge than to bring the Lord to the heart of people. Whoever wants God, wants all. Jesus is not going to charge people anything, but Heaven rejoices when one person is called to announce His name.

Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Cor 9:16 NIV)

Before such things that Paul received from the Lord, he found himself committed to announce Jesus to people, in order that they may be as happy as he was. The great sin of those that announce Jesus Christ is to announce oneself. Suddenly people begin to follow the person and not Jesus.

Speaking in the name of Jesus brings money, through it many people are rich. Such people have just stopped announcing Jesus Christ. If I turn away from proclaiming salvation to all I thus do not announce Jesus.

We are nothing if we do not announce the salvation of Jesus. We need to announce Jesus Christ more for He is the salvation for all. The more persons bow before the Blessed Sacrament so much will be better. Who dies opening his arms for salvation of the world was Jesus. Whatever member of the community could announce Christ, but people should not go to the person, the people have to go to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

People are will come and go but the Church will keep renew herself, because God never is going to stop sending preachers. The people go, but Jesus stays. Stay in Jesus, because He is the only salvation for all. Be an announcer of the world. Do not take another proposition that does not bring Jesus Christ to the people. However, no one achieves bringing the Lord before others without being on knees before Him.

Fr. Jose Augusto

New Song Community

Translated from Portuguese.