Evangelization
Understanding the Breach
The “Evangelization” episode speaks of evangelization as invitation, as helping people come to know the “one thing that matters,” which is Jesus Christ.
Have you ever shared with someone why you are Catholic? Or have you ever invited a non-Catholic or a lapsed Catholic to attend Mass with you? Why or why not? Would you find asking such a question or issuing such an invitation difficult?
Mark Houck recalls the “old evangelization” which left it to the priests and religious to be the “holy ones” who would evangelize the world, but Pope St. John Paul II reminded us that all the faithful are called to evangelize. Why are some men afraid or hesitant to answer that call?
Thomas Wurtz says evangelization is not rooted in arrogance, but in sharing a message that brings fulfillment and salvation. It is not about “winning the argument,” but about telling someone else the good news that there is a creator who loves them, has a plan for them and offers the healing power of mercy.
In what ways do we share our faith arrogantly? How can we talk about our Catholic faith without sounding arrogant?
Bricks For The Breach
“The key to living the faith isn’t hitting people upside the head with a catechism. The key is to be Christ to others. So one of the things that we have to recognize with regard to conversion is that conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit. You know we can plant seeds, but it’s the Holy Spirit that causes them to flourish.” (Kevin Lowry)
Sword of the Spirit
The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, 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. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20)