I’ve therefore resolved to be a bit braver and to publish more of my thoughts on this blog, even if they’re not formed to my level of satisfaction.<\/p>\n
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Everyone’s Favourite Saint<\/h2>\n
With this, I would like to offer a brief thought on an often-repeated saying which is usually attributed to St. Francis:<\/p>\n
“Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Now, there’s no evidence that St. Francis himself said this. It’s not in any of his writings although it does bear some\u00a0resemblance\u00a0to a line in his\u00a01221 Rule\u00a0 (“Let all the brothers, however, preach by their deeds<\/em>” – Chapter XVII<\/span>). Even if St. Francis didn’t exactly speak the above saying, it certainly is Franciscan in style and a wonderful sentiment. Actions often do<\/strong> speak louder than words. Quite often, the only Gospel any non-Christian is going to “read” is the life of a Christian they encounter on their way through life. A life lived in stark contrast to the standards of the world speaks much more loudly than any moralizing sermon.<\/p>\n However….however… I can’t help but wonder how often we use this pithy saying as an excuse for our lack of efforts in evangelism. It’s all very well saying that we prefer to preach the Gospel with our actions, but what exactly are <\/strong><\/em>these actions of ours which are preaching the Gospel?! Do we regularly make a conscious <\/strong><\/em>effort in our actions to preach the Gospel?<\/p>\n I remember one time when I heard someone give this pithy one-liner and I tried to assess what actions of mine, during the course of that past week, had preached the Gospel. I couldn’t think of a single one. As another saying goes “If Christianity became illegal tomorrow, would there be enough evidence found to convict you?”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n![\"st.](\"http:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/francis.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nUneasy Feelings<\/h2>\n