Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.
A reflection on the daily readings, for the Memorial of Sts. Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and companions, martyrs, by Father Perry.
By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor
+ Today we hit the bottom line. This was not only the core of the teaching and preaching of Paul and other disciples; it was the bottom line — if one doesn’t believe in the resurrection of the Christ, then we cannot believe in a resurrection for us. This is the whole tamale. It’s all or nothing! In fact, this is what they call the kerygma — the basic teaching of our faith.
To put it most simply —
“Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again!”
And today, Paul lays it in on the line — the bottom line.
+ This past week, we have been on a kind of fast track as Jesus moves about working wonder after wonder. He heals a sick servant from a distance just saying words because he has the authority to do so and arouses the faith of the centurion; he raises to life the man and only son of the widow of Nain. He challenges the faith of the crowds who neither accept him or John the Baptist. He restores a sinful woman who is drawn to him by his preaching and goodness, and then teaches others through her demonstration of love and faith.
Then our narrative today reports that he went from town to town —
“Preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.”
St. Mary Magdalene.
