Safe Worlds vs. Gospel Witness

 

Readings 112625 

We can build our own safe little world.
A world of routines.
A world of familiar friends.
A world of patterns that protect us.
A world of ideas about God that never challenge us.

Yes, we can build a world that guards us,
a world that shelters us,
a world that anesthetizes us.

But that is not how we grow.

Jesus said to the crowd:
“They will seize and persecute you…
they will hand you over…
it will lead to your giving testimony.”

Do you hear it?
Not safety.
Not shelter.
Not anesthesia.
But testimony.

The Gospel does not promise comfort.
The Gospel promises witness.
The Gospel promises the Spirit.
The Gospel promises growth.

And Jesus says:
“Do not prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you wisdom in speaking.”

We do not stand alone.
We do not speak alone.
We do not suffer alone.

The Spirit is with us.
The Spirit equips us.
The Spirit gives us words when we have none.

Safety numbs - Witness awakens.
Safety shelters - Faith sends.
Safety guards - Love risks.

Look at the saints:
Paul, who said, “When I am weak, then I am strong.”
Francis, who stepped out of wealth into poverty.
Romero, who spoke truth though it cost him his life.

They did not choose safety.
They chose testimony.
They chose growth.
They chose Christ.

So I ask you:
Where have we built walls of safety?
Where do we cling to routines instead of risking witness?
Where do we anesthetize ourselves instead of trusting the Spirit’s wisdom?

A life of true faith is not escape.
It is transformation.
It is not silence.
It is testimony.
It is not safety.
It is love.

And when we step beyond our safe patterns,
when we stand vulnerable and exposed,
Christ Himself will be our voice.
Christ Himself will be our wisdom.
Christ Himself will be our strength.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
break down the walls we build around ourselves.
Tear down the barriers that keep us safe but small.
Lead us into the places where Your Gospel must be spoken.

Give us courage when fear holds us back.
Give us wisdom when we feel unprepared.
Give us love that risks everything for Your name.

May our lives be testimony—
not to our comfort,
not to our routines,
not to our safety—
but to Your Cross and Resurrection.

Amen.