Our mission is to advance the kingdom of God by making disciples of Jesus.

We accomplish this by preaching and sacraments. I preach on Sundays whereas you preach by your lives and by what you say to those you see every day. It is, simply put, our Christian task: to live and preach the Gospel of Christ each in our own way.

But that’s hard sometimes. Sometimes people don’t want to hear the Gospel. We may think the world today is particularly hostile to the Christian message; but, honestly, it’s never been easy. Jesus himself told his disciples, “the world hates you” (Jn 15:19). Paul asked the Galatians, “have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (Gal 4:16) Since the beginning, the Gospel has been a hard sell. Which is why we should expect adversity when bearing witness to the truth and love of Jesus. Because people are often like wounded animals: they bite the saving hand.

Which is why we must remain focused and, also, peaceful. When we meet hostility, we are often tempted to be hostile in return. So much Christian energy is wasted by this: by Christians making themselves obnoxious enemies of those with whom they’re called to share the Gospel, whom they’re called to love.

And that’s because anger is easier, even though it’s not Christian. We often try to evangelize, but we don’t want to suffer. Which is the problem. We forget that’s exactly how Jesus did it: he preached and suffered. He preached on his way to Calvary; he preached on the Cross. And he told us to follow him, to carry our crosses too. Because martyrdom is the most perfect witness to truth and love. But we don’t want that these days; which is why our witness is so often shallow.

Which is why we should think about Paul, about how he said he carried in his body the “marks of Jesus” (Gal 6:17). What does that mean for us today? I think it means we Christians must relearn how to preach and advance the kingdom through suffering and martyrdom. Which frightens me, to be honest. Yet it’s the Gospel.

And we may not have any other choice.