Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/011212.cfm
In today's Gospel, Jesus heals a leper and sternly warns him not to tell anyone about it. Instead, he is to obey the Mosaic law by showing himself to the priest and offering a sacrifice as a witness or testimony for others. Why did Jesus forbid this man from verbally sharing his excitement? Because the proof that he was healed was a greater witness to the glory of Christ than what he could say by word-of-mouth.
There definitely are times when we need to "prove" the truthfulness of our faith with others by talking with them; however, the greatest "proof" we can give that the Gospel is true is lives lived in love. On an intellectual level, people can always come up with an argument against our faith. But, on a personal level, they cannot deny a life that lives Jesus because we are wired for God and goodness; so when they see these things through the life of another, they are attracted to them.
I think most of the time, Jesus wants us to do what the leper did: offer ourselves, in gratitude, as living sacrifices and obey his commandments. Truth is, it is much easier to talk about our faith than to live it. In order to live it, we have to constantly depend on Christ for the strength to overcome our sins and weaknesses. Becoming saints is hard work, but through Christ, it is very possible.
May Christ help us to live our faith and to have the wisdom to know when we need to talk about it.
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