As Christians, we are being constantly reminded to go forth and preach the Good News. This is not merely a request or a suggestion, but a command from the Lord, and a duty for each and every one of us. All of us Christians are called to preach the Good News, not just the priests, pastors, religious or missionaries. But when we go and preach the Good News, what is our true purpose or agenda in doing so? Are we doing it for the greater glory of God, or are we doing it for our personal gratification or personal gain, and to boost our reputation and ego?
In today's reading, St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians and us: "We have not taken to preaching because we are deluded, or immoral, or trying to deceive anyone; it was God who decided that we were fit to be entrusted with the Good News, and when we are speaking, we are not trying to please men but God, who can read our inmost thoughts. You know very well, and we can swear it before God, that never at any time have our speeches been simply flattery, or a cover for trying to get money; nor have we ever looked for any special honour from men, either from you or anybody else, when we could have imposed ourselves on you with full weight, as apostles of Christ. Instead, we were unassuming. Like a mother feeding and looking after her own children, we felt so devoted and protective towards you, and had come to love you so much, that we were eager to hand over to you not only the Good News but our whole lives as well."
Ultimately, we need to check our motives and return to preaching the Good News with right motive, right intention and right disposition, since what we are doing ought not to be for ourselves, but for the greater glory of God.
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