It's Necessary. Use Words.

We are a society very comfortable (tolerant) with the proclamation of sin, very uncomfortable (intolerant) with proclamation of the truth. In the latter, sometimes people invoke St. Francis, "Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words."

A few things.
(1) Look around-- I'd say "it's necessary";
(2) St. Francis was one of the greatest preachers;
(3) Invoking this is "using words" (clearly, we all challenge, the only question is whom / what and why);
(4) Silence and neutrality only help the oppressor, never the oppressed (Elie Wiesel);
(5) One's imperfection is no excuse not to "[p]roclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching." (2 Tim 4:2);
(6) The 2nd law of thermodynamics is applicable to the moral life-- things left alone will go from order to disorder (for evidence, I give you my kids' rooms!).

A civilization of love doesn't just happen. It requires being "built" - certainly in striving to live it - but also in terms of structuring that world through verbal affirmation, challenge, expectation and accountability (what seems to be decisively lacking in parenting today).

If we were as bold in proclaiming the truth as the world is in proclaiming falsehood (with the self-effacing humility that we are imperfect, working it out... that we did not define it- but it defines us), the world might have a shot at knowing the contour of the road and end this perpetual state of crashing.