1 Cor 2:1-5 / Luke 4:16-30
Whether it is the spoken word or the written word, what is expected of words is they must must be effective, dynamic and captivating.
Hence the art of public speaking is indeed an art, and training as well as practice is very necessary.
If such are the demands of public speaking, then what about the criteria for preaching the Word of God?
In the 1st reading, St. Paul seemed to make it so simple when he said that he preached without any show of oratory or philosophy, although he did mention about great "fear and trembling".
With what he said, there was also something else that was implied, or that was not said.
As much as there was no show of oratory or philosophy, it didn't mean that he didn't prepare himself to preach the Word of God.
In preaching the Word of God, it was a demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit, as well as the spirituality and conviction of St. Paul.
Certainly, what St. Paul preached was sensible and logical, but it was also the power of God that opened the hearts of his listeners.
And in the gospel, as we hear the so-called "mission statement" of Jesus, we hear again the power of the Spirit with which Jesus carried out His mission.
Yet when it comes to public speaking or even preaching, it is so tempting to succumb to the love for attention and eventually the love for power.
Yet whether it is in public speaking or preaching or ordinary living, it is with the power of love that comes from the Holy Spirit that will bring good news to the poor, liberty to captives and set the downtrodden free.