Gospel of Matthew, chapter 5:16

There was a man who used to gamble and drink a lot before he converted to Christ. His fellow workers were fond of teasing him: “Surely a man like you doesn’t believe in miracles and all that bible stuff. How could you believe that Jesus turned water into wine?” The man’s reply was, “Whether He turned water into wine or not I do not know, but in my home I have seen Him turn my love of beer into love of family.” The strongest argument in defense of the Christian faith is to be found not in words, but in example; by showing the practical difference faith can make in your life. No one can argue against the proof of a changed life!

In today’s scripture passage, the Lord asks us to let the light of our faith shine in our lives by the things we do. This is the faith that transforms a person’s life into something positive and productive.

Have you ever tried to share your faith with someone? How did you go about it? Did you to try to convince others that your beliefs were better than theirs? This kind of approach to the faith is called apologetics. Apologetics is sometimes necessary in defending the faith against those who attack it with intellectual arguments. It can reassure the believer but it seldom converts the unbeliever.

A more effective way of presenting the faith is to show the blessings that faith has brought about in your life. This is called giving testimony or bearing witness to the faith. This is what Jesus is talking about in today’s scripture when He says we should let our light shine before others so they will see the good things you do and praise your heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16).

We can learn from St. Paul who tried to win the Athenians over to the Christian faith with erudite, philosophical arguments (Acts 17). These sophisticated and logical explanations of the faith didn’t impress his learned audience who loved debates for the sake of debates. They only made fun of Paul and responded: “We will hear you another day about this” (Acts 17:32).

St. Paul had a change of heart after this when it came to preaching the good news.

When he arrived in Corinth later he did not speak with “lofty words or wisdom” (1 Corinthians 2:1) as he had done in Athens. He spoke plainly, and told the story of Jesus Christ who was crucified for our sins. The people of Corinth came to believe in Jesus, not because of St. Paul’s eloquence, but on the power of the living God acting in their lives (1 Corinthians 2:5).

Let us strive to spread the good news of the Lord’s kingdom by the way we live.

Fr. Hugh Duffy