Shhhhh...

“Preach the Gospel always, if necessary, use words”.

This quote widely attributed to St. Francis seems to be very popular among Christians, usually in the context of how we do not have to be preachy or say much about our faith! We preach by example not by words! There is wisdom in these words, as long as we remember never to be silent when it is necessary to speak!

This message was powerfully conveyed at St. Luke’s celebration of the feast of Absalom Jones, the first black American Episcopal priest. A liturgical dance piece set to excerpts from sermons by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. touched on the serious problem of silence. In the end; said he , “we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends”.

Can I sit silently as those I love are suffering, confused , lost and hopeless? Can I silently watch prejudice and injustice? Can I sit idly without a word as a teenager is led astray ? Can I be silent when a child goes hungry, is abused or neglected? Can I say nothing as the unborn are killed?

Our command from Christ to bring “good news" the Spirit 's anointing for us to proclaim..."liberty to the captives”, our baptismal covenant urging us to “strive for justice", make it a necessity for our voice to be heard in prayer, in counsel, in protest, in objection , in question, in invitation.

Yes by all means...

Preach the gospel always...just don't forget to use words!!

Blessings

Seraph