‘Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’

We must always be ready to give a reply to those who ask us for the reason for our confidence and hope.  Are we, then, to claim it as our own, as though our faith were our own achievement, as though it were not a gift or as though we didn’t really have any?  “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves” (Mark 8.34).  We must deny ourselves if we are not to be ashamed of Christ.  “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5.16)