DO IT Without Reward

 Proclaim the Word in Season and Out of Season

Patience, Humility, and Faithfulness in the Christian Mission

“Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.” — 2 Timothy 4:2

    Dear brothers and sisters in Christ...
    The readings of the day present a profound and challenging message for every Christian: perseverance in our mission and humility in our service.

     In the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy, Paul gives a passionate exhortation:

“Proclaim the word. Be persistent in season and out of season. Convince, reprimand, and encourage with all patience and wisdom.”

    Many evangelizers quote this passage when speaking about preaching the Gospel, emphasizing the call to correct, exhort, and teach. Yet, two essential words are often forgotten: patience and wisdom.

    Too often, we become impatient. We want immediate results. We expect that people will listen, believe, and change after hearing us tell them the truth - once. But human hearts do not work that way.
    In many ways, we resemble the people of Israel: sometimes spiritually deaf, often spiritually blind, and usually slow to understand. A ttimes they are downright obstinate in refusal of our words. We may speak, teach, and proclaim the word and facts repeatedly, yet transformation does not happen according to our timetable.

Our responsibility is not to force conversion...
Our responsibility is to serve and announce.

"A servant serves. That is enough."

    We are to present the facts, even if they are stubbornly refused. We are to proclaim the Word to guide. We must continue preaching, teaching, correcting, and encouraging—again and again—with patience and wisdom, trusting that God will act in His time.

    The teacher must continue teaching.
    Parents must continue forming their children.
    Catechists must continue preparing the faithful for the sacraments.     Church ministers and leaders must continue guiding others in faith and reverence.
    
    And yes, there are moments when exhaustion sets in.

    We say:

“I already explained this.”
“I already said this before.”
“You people do not listen.”

    Yet the mission does not change. We are called to persevere until understanding takes root, until hearts are opened, until faith becomes lived reality. And even then, the work continues.

    Because our task is not to produce miracles. Our task is to bring people closer to the One who performs miracles.

God converts hearts.
God transforms souls.
And God works according to His time, not ours.

    Too often, we confuse our mission. We begin believing that success means seeing immediate results. We think our responsibility is to make others change. Some pound their Bibles, pluck verses, then reprimand those who don't see what they see there - that is to say, who don't see it their way.

    But Saint Paul teaches something different.

    At the end of his life, Paul says:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

    But, notice what he does not say. He does not say, “Everyone converted because of me.”

    Instead, he speaks of faithfulness. He fulfilled the mission entrusted to him: to preach, evangelize, and persevere until the end. And the same applies to us.

    Parents are called to educate their children—not control every outcome.
    Teachers are called to teach.
    Servants in ministry are called to serve.

    Each person is entrusted with a responsibility, and faithfulness means continuing the work, correcting when necessary, and doing so with patience and wisdom. 

Without growing weary.
Even if the lesson must be repeated a hundred times.
Even if change seems slow.

    As St. John reminds us:

“We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.”

    This humility matters deeply. 
Sometimes we mistake ordinary faithfulness for expectant extraordinary greatness. We begin to believe we deserve recognition simply for doing what we were already called to do. 
But that's not how we should approach it.
Instead:

If someone has the gift of singing, then sing.
If someone teaches, then teach.
If someone serves, then serve.

Not for applause.
Not for recognition.
Not for praise.

    But because that is the mission entrusted by God. 
The Gospel warns us precisely against the opposite attitude.

    Jesus says:

“Beware of the scribes.”

    The scribes enjoyed public admiration, honored seats, and recognition. They loved to appear as reverent, and they enjoyed their self-made status. They wanted privilege and obsequisness because of their religious role.
    But Jesus exposes the danger of seeking honor for spiritual service. Preaching the Word does not entitle anyone to special treatment. Serving in ministry does not make anyone greater than others.

    A Christian servant does not seek the best seat, the highest honor, or the greatest recognition. No, a servant serves. That is enough.

    This truth applies not only in church but also within the family and daily life. Sometimes we feel entitled:

“I cooked, so I deserve more.”
“I brought the food, so I deserve preference.”

    But Christian service asks something deeper:

“I did what I was called to do.”

    And if everyone else benefited by my service, thanks be to God. The Christian heart learns joy in faithful service—not recognition. 

    The message of these readings is both simple and demanding:

Do what God has entrusted to you.
Do it patiently.
Do it wisely.
Do it humbly.
Do it in season and out of season.
Do not mistake faithfulness for entitlement.

    The Lord does not ask us to guarantee results. He asks us to remain faithful. 

✠✠✠

Glory be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, now and always, for ever and ever
Amen. The Lord be with you and the blessing of almighty God, The Father, The Son and Holy Spirit descend upon you and accompany you always. Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

This is transcribed for study and reflection, from an original Spanish tube cast by Father Robinson Gonzalez at Oxy Espiritual, YouTube. We are indebted to Father Gonzales for his inights.