There is an old adage that says in social circles never talk about religion or politics. Despite that warning I’m sure that most of us have been involved in a conversation about religion that led to an argument. I’m not sure if anyone wins in arguments about God, religion, spirituality and the like. Slowly I have come to the realization that arguing is different from witnessing. Proclaiming is different from denouncing. In the gospel today Jesus calls for witnesses - people who are not afraid to be seen as followers of Christ out there in the midst of a skeptical or even hostile world. Jesus was not asking his disciples to be part of a debate team but to be witnesses of God’s kingdom.

As Catholics when we hear the word ‘witness’ we might conjure up images of the martyrs of old who gave their blood for Christ. None of us will be asked to shed our blood for our faith. Living our faith in the United States does not put our lives in danger. But on the other hand, witnessing to our faith is not easy. In so many situations it is not hostility or opposition that we face but rather a deadly indifference. Witnessing to our faith means overcoming our fear of what people will think of us or say about us.

The sudden death of NBC’s Tim Russert has shed light on a man who could argue well in any political debate but whose strongest quality was seen in the integration of his faith and his living. The media/political world has to be a hostile environment for a person of faith but Tim Russert made it clear that his faith was the guiding principle of his life. His respect for all persons, his concern for the down trodden, his passion for the truth, his moral integrity, his desire to give back, his great love for God all gave great witness to the world.

From the gospel today, “What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light, what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.” It is clear that we must first have a relationship with God - a relationship so comfortable and trusting that we can hear God whisper to us. So that we can hear the words of affirmation and love that our God has for us. “Do not be afraid” - you are worth more than you can imagine. Our God cherishes each of us - we are precious in God’s eyes. The world, our society, Madison Avenue shouts at us that we are ONLY valuable if we own the right things, if live in the right house or hang with the right people, if we only have the latest, the newest, the whatever. It is this propaganda that kills the soul. God does not shout - God whispers to us - in the intimacy of our hearts God speaks to us of his love and tells us not to be afraid. But this is not always easy to hear. It is difficult to buy into the simplicity and the stability of God’s love. That is why prayer is so crucial - so critical. We need that daily connection with God because we are bombarded by many other messages that can make us fearful, lustful, selfish, possessive...we need to hear the message of God daily - to sit quietly with God and become aware of God’s supportive presence.

In most cities today security cameras are found everywhere. We are being watched. Watched by a cold, dispassionate eye intent only on catching us in wrong doing. The feeling that someone is watching you is not a pleasant feeling. But the feeling that someone is watching OVER you is a wonderful feeling. God is not watching us. God is watching over us. The knowledge that God is watching over us gives us comfort, strength and hope especially in times of difficulty and danger.

We begin summer this weekend. It is a time for relaxation and leisure - a time to rejuvenate our lives. May I suggest that the best way to do that is through prayer. Prayer - the nourishing time with our God that can be strengthened by pondering the Word of God in the scriptures, by some good spiritual reading, by contemplating the Creator in creation - just appreciating the beautiful world we live in, by poetry and art and music. Summer days are perfect to quietly sit with God and let God whisper to the deepest recess of your heart.  Allow God, in silence to affirm you, to reassure you ...”do not be afraid”...I am with you...you have nothing to fear.