Jul 14 2008
Preaching the Gospel with Deeds
Here is what St. Paul says to the Thessalonians (from the Jerusalem Bible):
And you observed the sort of life we lived when we were with you, which was for your instruction, and you were led to become imitators of us, and of the Lord; and it was with joy of the Holy Spirit that you took the gospel, in spite of the great opposition all around you. This has made you the great example to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia since it was through you that the word of the Lord started to spread — and not only throughout Macedonia and Achaia, for the news of your faith has spread everywhere. (1 Thess 1.5-8)
Notice what St. Paul says. He and his companions lived a life that was for the instruction of those living in Thessalonica. Though Paul preached the Gospel with words, he also preached it with his actions. It was through the witness of his life that the Thessalonians decided imitated him, and, by imitating him, imitated Christ. And the faithful witness of this small community brought in a great harvest: Many throughout the surrounding regions began to believe.
This reminds me of something Vatican II taught. When speaking of the causes of atheism, the Council said:
Believers themselves frequently bear some responsibility for this situation. For, taken as a whole, atheism is not a spontaneous development but stems from a variety of causes, including a critical reaction against religious beliefs, and in some places against the Christian religion in particular. Hence believers can have more than a little to do with the birth of atheism. To the extent that they neglect their own training in the faith, or teach erroneous doctrine, or are deficient in their religious, moral or social life, they must be said to conceal rather than reveal the authentic face of God and religion. (Gaudium et Spes, no. 19)
So it can work both ways, can’t it? If we live a life worthy of God’s children, we can help people come to Christ. But if we live a life that implicitly denies Christ, we will help perpetuate atheism and unbelief.
Of course, we don’t behave like Christians in order to teach others; we behave like Christians because our deepest desire is to please God. But sometimes we need other motives, and being aware that our lives profoundly affect the lives of others may very well be the kind of motivation we need to live an authentic Christian life.
All of this can be summed up in the excellent saying of St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel always, and use words when necessary.”
