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We must preach as we walk. Many of the best sermons are sermons without words. Francis of Assisi one day stepped down into the cloisters of his monastery, and said to a young monk: “Brother, let us go down into the town today and preach.” So they went forth, the venerable father and the young man, conversing as they went. Along the principal streets, around the lowly alleys, to the outskirts of the town, and to the village beyond, they wound their way, returning at length to the monastery gate. Then spoke the young monk, “Father, when shall we begin to preach?” “My child!” said Francis, looking down kindly upon the young man, “we have been preaching; we were preaching while we were walking. We have been seen – looked at; our behavior has been remarked; and so we have delivered a morning sermon. Ah! My son,” continued the saintly man, “it is of no use that we walk anywhere to preach, unless we preach as we walk.”
In this way we may all be preachers; in this way we all must preach, if we would win souls. We must preach as we walk. St. Paul said: “For me to live is Christ.” Wherever he went, men saw Christ mirrored in his character, his disposition, his conduct, his temper. We must be Christ to those we would win for Christ.