Word to the Wise
Friday, July 12, 2013 - Friday in the 14th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gen 46:1-7, 28-30 and Matt 10:16-23]When they hand you over, do not worry about what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Much of what Jesus is warning his disciples about was going on at the time the Gospel of Matthew was put into final written form. Although the geographic context is Israel, history tells us that the challenges outlined in Jesus' charge to his disciples remain valid even in our own times! There are, indeed, places now where one's Christianity will result in loss of life and property! What, indeed, can one say in the face of such terror and insecurity? In a society of comparative "law and order" it is hard to think of being in physical danger because of one's religious beliefs (although it DOES happen once in awhile).
Even so, the words of Jesus quoted above can give us pause. When "confronted" or even by someone "just asking," do we take refuge in the old saying, "I don't talk politics or religion?" Are we afraid we might say something erroneous because we haven't looked at a catechism or Bible in years? If we have faith, the Holy Spirit will find a way to speak through us. Of course we could also take a hint from the experience to go and find out more! The fear of "saying the wrong thing" is one of the worst enemies of evangelization! The words of 1 Peter 3:15 continually challenge me: "Always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in you, but do it gently and with reverence...." The Holy Spirit will take care of the rest. AMEN