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Bringing the message home By Michelle Martin Father Leo Mahon returned to the Archdiocese of Chicago from Panama 25 years ago, but his experiences bringing the Gospel to the slums of Panama City resonate through “Jesus and His Message: An Introduction to the Good News.” “We were ministering to a huge population, most of them very poor, with very few priests and where the population had very little familiarity with the religion,” Mahon said. “In those circumstances, you really have to think about what this Good News is that you are teaching. And the heart of the message of Jesus is the kingdom of God. The message is that the kingdom of God is now. It’s a hope for fairness, for justice and equality.” Mahon hopes that message will resonate not only with the poor of Panama, but also with readers in the archdiocese and around the country. The 74-year-old retired priest based the book on a series of lectures he delivered last year at St. Mary-of-the-Woods Parish, where he resides. His 110-page volume can be read quickly and alone, but that’s not the way he hopes people read it. He envisions small groups reading it together, and then taking time to discuss the questions at the end of each chapter. “I think to understand the faith, you really have to dialogue about it,” Mahon said. “We all have a part of the faith, and to learn more, you have to dialogue with other people.” Each of the chapters looks at how Jesus explained the kingdom of God in several of his roles, as a Jew, as a teller of parables, in his death and in his resurrection. Throughout it runs the theme that Jesus’ incarnation announced the kingdom of God, but that the kingdom is not yet complete, and it won’t be until the whole world accepts it and lives as a loving family. The book also includes historical context to help modern readers understand the Gospels, from the background of the Babylonian exile to why tax collectors were despised, what Jews meant when they spoke of the Messiah. “The intended audience for the book was actually a high school senior,” said Mahon. “Somebody who is bright and interested and really wants to get to the bottom of this.” And when they get to the bottom of Mahon’s book, he hopes they come away with this message: “We are saved, and our calling is to save the world not only by our words, but by our deeds,” Mahon said. “Jesus and His Message: An Introduction to the Good News” is available from ACTA Publications, (773) 271-1030, $6.95
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