In my prayer this morning I read that Catherine of Siena, who lived from 1347 to 1380, is known to have said: “Preach the truth as if we had a million voices for it is silence that kills the world.”

What powerful wisdom that is!  Speaking and preaching the truth is a necessary quality of each disciple.  But, then I remembered one of my favorite nuggets of wisdom from St. Francis of Assisi, who lived from 1182 to 1226.  He is known to have said:  “Preach the gospel wherever you go.  If necessary use words.”

There we have it!  In these two statements from the saints, I think we have a simple guide for our lives.  Whether we are silent or whether we preach with a million voices, it is clear what we should be doing each day.  We must be about the work of making Christ visible in our day in every way possible.