Proclaiming the Gospel to My Family

As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed. Mark 5: 18-20

Today’s gospel and the story of St. Bathildis seem to go hand in hand. I was so struck with the pleading of the formerly possessed man to stay with Jesus. I’ve been there with the pleading. I know the feeling. But it wasn’t the time for me to be with God nor was it the time for that man to be with God. God had something else in mind. God wanted the man to go back to his family and tell of all the good that Jesus had done for him.

I often want to spend more time with Jesus than I am doing now. However, God calls me to proclaim the good news to my family instead. Yes, I need to sit at His feet and listen to Him speak in the silence of my heart but that is to refresh me for what I am called to do. I am called to share the gospel and the stories of the saints and acts of charity to my family.

St. Bathildis also wanted to spend more and more time with Jesus but it was not what God called her to do at that time. He called her to be a mother and a queen. It was being a queen that allowed her to be generous to the less fortunate and to set up religious hospitals and monastery. It wasn’t until her children were older that she was called into the religious life.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for calling me to share you with others when it would be easier to stay with you always. Help me to proclaim and live the gospel as you have called me to do with my family.

Amen.