Communications technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, and at the same time, become easier to use. As a result, the world appears to be becoming a much smaller place than it once was. And in many ways that is especially highlighted by the rise in popularity of the likes of twitter and other types of social media. Some amazing statistics about social media are available on the “econsultancy blog”. Nowadays we can pass on news and hear news from all around the world in an instant. When I think back, even to my childhood, there have been massive advances in the technology available. It makes you wonder what it will be like for the coming generations.

So, because of all those advances in communications technology, it has never been easier to send a message to the ends of the earth; never easier to “send the gospel to the ends of the earth”. And I’m left wondering if we take advantage enough of the technology available to us in talking about the “good news” of Jesus Christ. And especially if I am, personally, doing enough.

I know I write this blog, and while I don’t think of myself as evangelising in my writing — that isn’t the intention — I hope I am sharing the love of Christ, the love of God, with those who read my words on here. And I know that, in theory, this blog could be read by thousands, even millions, of people. In practise, of course, it isn’t; in fact it’s around about a thousand a week. I have had to accept, because of my ongoing health concerns, that this is frequently going to be my only viable opportunity to share God’s love with other people — even this wouldn’t have been possible a few years ago.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of other websites written by people who all want to share the love of God with others from around the world. And probably an equal, or greater, number that are about evangelising and conversion. So the reality is that a great deal is being done to “send the gospel to the ends of the earth”.

But there is one thing that all of these websites, including mine, have in common. They all rely on people being interested enough to make an effort to read what’s being written; the same as with any other kind of website available on the internet. I suspect the social networking sites, such as Twitter, will begin to play a part in changing that, but even with them there still is an element of people needing to make an effort to “follow” you, or your message will just be lost within the myriad of others being sent at the same time.

So, on this Fourth Sunday of Epiphany, I’m left once again with questions. Are we, am I, doing enough to help with sending the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, to the ends of the earth?

God of heaven,
you send the gospel to the ends of the earth
and your messengers to every nation:
send your Holy Spirit to transform us
by the good news of everlasting life
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Additional Collect for The Fourth Sunday of Epiphany
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council