Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea. Mark 9:42 (RSV)
Pr. Jolivette and I were leaving the funeral of a fellow pastor, having heard a funeral sermon by another pastor who was reputed to be an excellent preacher. As we left, I said to Jolly, 'Did I miss something in the sermon? I didn't hear much of the Gospel.' Jolly replied, 'That is because there wasn't any.'
Jesus' words from St. Mark's Gospel recall the vow set before me at my ordination: 'As you shall give an account before the Lord in the great day of his appearing...'.
We are to preach the Gospel, in season and out. We are to be unwavering in our proclaiming the Good News of Christ's death and resurrection. The question that is always before us in the Church is: 'How does this preach Christ?'
If we cannot answer that question or answer that whatever we have devised does not point to the Savior, it is best to be silent. The task of the pastor, yes and all believers, but especially the pastor, is to make Christ known.
God grant all pastors the gift and wisdom to always preach Christ risen from the dead.