There is a story about a young missionary who spotted a woodcutter at work in a forest. “What a perfect opportunity to make a convert for Jesus,” he thought when he learned the woodcutter had never heard of Jesus Christ.

All day as the man chopped wood, carried it to his wagon, and walked back to chop another load, the young missionary spoke about faith in Jesus Christ. Toward the end of the day he asked, ”Well, are you ready to accept Jesus Christ?”

“I don’t know,” replied the woodcutter. “All day you spoke to me of this Jesus who helps us with all our burdens, yet you never helped me with mine.”

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At the end of today’s gospel, Jesus gave the church its missionary mandate: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

The story of the young missionary and the woodcutter shows that it’s not that easy. The missionary spoke volumes, and yet, forgot that actions speak louder than words.

There is a teaching attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, which says, “preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” That fits the image of the Saint that has come down to us of one who was a walking gospel, loving all, embracing a life of poverty, and attracting many followers simply by the powerful example of his life.

In more recent times, a significant document by St. Pope Paul VI includes this statement, “In our times, people listen more to witnesses than they do to teachers. And if they listen to teachers, it is because they are also witnesses.”

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Is that not what attracted people to Jesus? Jesus didn’t just teach high-sounding and very challenging messages. People listened to him because he also lived the message about compassion, forgiveness, mercy and boundless love.

When I was a child, we used to pray for missionaries, and we heard stories of the incredible sacrifices made by both women and men, who would go out to far-off areas of the world to bring the gospel to all nations, as Jesus requested.

Now, in many ways, we are living in missionary territory right here in the United States. In the service of political power, our values are being ignored. Through division stoked by fear, the basic human and civil rights of many are being trampled on. The poor and the vulnerable are being treated with cruelty and neglect.

Bringing the gospel to the nations is much more than a matter of elegant words. The gospel is a way of life to be shared. If it is to be authentic and effective, it has to be lived. You don’t have to be in a distant land to be a missionary. People are watching us right here, where we live. Talking about Jesus is nice, but living like him is what truly matters.