Every Family, A Herald: A Call to Dream and Action

For Merriam-Webster, a herald is a forerunner, precursor, harbinger. A herald is one who goes before or announces the coming of another, one who paves the way for the success of another, who announces the coming or arrival of a notable event or person.

Thus, John the Baptist, heralded the coming of Jesus Christ, the Savior. “He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful that is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals’” (Jn. 1:7).

In the same way, every family is called to be a herald of the Good News. Every family must not only grab a copy of Davao Catholic Herald news magazine. It means everyone in the family, like John the Baptist is called to live in humility becoming proclaimers through words and deeds the presence of Christ among us. By reading, supporting and contributing to our media of social communications, we exercise and inspire among us true worshipping, teaching and serving.

“By virtue of their ministry of educating, parents are, through the witness of their lives, the first heralds of the Gospel for their children” (FC, 39). By witnessing, everyone in the family announces the Good News that we are loved and precious in the eyes of God. By virtue of our baptism, each one in the family can live up to the vocation of priests, prophet and king by being heralds of the Gospel of life.

As we celebrate September as vocation month, may families dream and act now as heralds of the Good News. “Dreams are the greatest imaginative power of mankind. You are capable of anything. Dream great dreams” (Lailah Gifty Akita).

Christian families must believe they can make it. Every family is empowered by the gift of baptism. “The problem isn’t that I think so highly of myself. It is just that you think so little of yourself. Live life BIG, BOLD and OUT LOUD!” (Shannon L. Alder). Every family can become true worshippers, teachers and servants of the Good News making the Church alive.

This challenge to become heralds must be manifested without hesitation and fear. As St. Paul preached the Good News in season and out of season, Christian families must act now. “When the actions become frequent than the words, success becomes heavier than the dreams. Do more, say less” (Israelmore Ayivor).

Support Davao Catholic Herald. Contribute your time, talent and treasure. Let every family be a herald!