"I am not ashamed of the Gospel". Paul's affirmation is a challenge to us, especially in the modern world where many forces conspire to make us ashamed of the Gospel. Many people who are tolerant of other religions maintain a derisive attitude towards Catholicism. Each time Catholic doctrine is called in question, the effect is to suggest that we should be ashamed of the Gospel. Sometimes, unfortunately, even Catholics can be somewhat unsympathetic or even quite intolerant of those who desire to be more than "Sunday Catholics".

These last few years have given us much reason to reflect on our sinfulness. No matter how much people in the Church fail, that is not enough to make us ashamed of the Gospel, for the Gospel is meant above all for those who can truthfully say: "Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner". Those who are not ashamed of the Gospel will not despair at sinfulness, either in themselves or in others, for, as the Entrance Antiphon this week reminds us, God is forgiving. Yet, that truth will not make us complacent if we constantly and earnestly pray, with this Sunday's Alternative Opening Prayer that God may prevent our falling.