How often have you heard people criticise Catholics for declining to defend their faith or being unable to speak about it to others? They choose to defer to their priests. Yet, it is important that we are always personally ready to witness to our faith: "Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence." (1 Pet 3: 16) That I do not have a doctorate in theology or Scripture should not be an obstacle. St Paul, speaking to the Corinthians, was aware of the doctrine of the Church and well schooled in the disciplines of Scripture, Philosophy and Rhetoric of his time. Nevertheless, he did not rely on this rather: "My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God." (1 Cor 2: 4-5) Have I encountered the power of God? If so I can testify to that even though I am not an expert in any academic discipline. The Holy Spirit can witness through me: "When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulters, and the authorities, do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say." (Lk 12: 11-12)
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