Have you ever seen a movie or read a book or eaten a meal that was so fantastic that you couldn’t help but talk about it? Your spouse, your friends, your coworkers, your hairdresser–anyone and everyone seems like the perfect person to talk to about that spine-tingling film or life-changing novel or mouth-watering grilled salmon. If you’re like me, an enthusiastic sort, you can even drive people a little crazy with the topic, at least until the Next Big Thing comes along to capture your fancy.

So then why are so many of us so hesitant to talk about our faith? Why is it that when I hear an energizing and insightful sermon or am delighted by a soaringly beautiful hymn, or for that matter when I witness an inspiring act of sacrificial service to others–all of which happen with astonishing frequency in my parish–I rarely think to chat about it…