Actions louder than words

1 Peter 3:13-22
          Actions louder than words

          Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an account of the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight people, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

           Many years ago,  a fellow seminarian was scheduled to preach in a church although by church law he was not allowed to. He had yet to be ordained. Perhaps that is silly but the pastor of the church wanted him to preach. To fulfill the letter of the law, the pastor woud preach and then my friend would offer a "reflection". The pastor ascended the pulpit and said he had to preach to fulfill the law. He said "Here is my homily, love one another" and then his sat down and let my friend give a proper sermon, errr, reflection. I will follow the Pastors lead in making a similarly brief blog today because I think the reading really does say it all and much better than I ever could. So here goes.       

        Perhaps as a product of my education I am reminded of two things from this passage that I learned from my undergraduate study in a Vincentian University. One is to be part of the world but not of the world (St. Vincent de Paul); the other is to preach the word of God always, use words if necessary.

       So follow as the reading suggests. Always strive to live a good and decent life without flaunting it or making a spectacle of yourself. If anyone ever does ask you why you behave as you do, gently explain it is your faith without boasting and without any speck of self righteousness.

           Actions always speak louder than words.