What exactly does acknowledging Christ before others mean in practice in one’s daily life?  It means being at the same time both frank and humble; courageous, yes – conceited never.  It means that one should never pretend that one is not a Christian when in company with anyone who is attacking or ridiculing the Christian religion.  On the contrary it means bearing witness to Our Blessed Lord when the situation calls for it, not by heated argument, but by calm discussion, as being an instrument in the hand of God.

That is particularly applicable when Christian moral principles are under attack in our present secular society.  For example, when abortion or euthanasia is being approved or advocated, one must speak out plainly on the side of right and stand up for the sanctity of human life.

What acknowledging Christ before others does not mean is ramming religion down people’s throats, let alone adopting a ‘holier than thou’ attitude.  Rather it means encouraging and helping, with tact and understanding, those who inquire about the Christian Faith and Sacraments, or as St Peter put it, “Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an account of the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness…” (NRSV, 1 Peter 3:15,16).

And St Peter adds, “Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame” (1 Peter 3:16 our emphasis).

For in the end it is actions that speak louder than words.  So, acknowledging Christ before others also means being a good advertisement for Christ by being faithful to one’s principles, sincere, good humoured, unresentful and always ready to lend a helping hand.

As Our Blessed Lord put it, “…let your light shine in such a way before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Reference

1. The Encyclical Epistle of the Church at Smyrna (2nd century A.D.) cited in Aquilina, M. (2006) The Fathers of the Church.  An introduction to the first Christian teachers, Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.