Acts 8: 5-8, 14-17
Psalm 66: 1-7, 16, 20
1 Peter 3: 15-18
John 14: 15-21
Always be ready to give an explanation
to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope,
but do it with gentleness and reverence,
keeping your conscience clear,
so that, when you are maligned,
those who defame your good conduct in Christ
may themselves be put to shame. (1 Peter)
Many of us are fans of drama. Focus on the bad news, show us the cat fights, tease us with scandal... that'll keep our interest! And yet the results of living a life empowered by God's Holy Spirit promise us "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, self-control" (Galatians 5: 22-23): ho-hum, that'll never make the evening news!
Think of this passage from 1 Peter, and of these fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians the next time you are tempted to argue/defend your faith with another. Matching stubbornness for stubbornness reveals nothing positive about the Body of Christ. Worrying about proving the other wrong illuminates little about the good in your own being. Certainly we are called to correct misconceptions, but always in a spirit of charity and patience, respecting as much as possible the good intentions that both sides hold (however hard they may be to see at the time!). The way you live your faith each day speaks far more eloquently than thousands of words - may your life be a clear and joyful Gospel!
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