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May 1, 2024In the past few weeks, I have been preaching about the importance of evangelizing and remembering that this is everyone’s work. The clearest evidence of this is the first few pages of the Acts of the Apostles, which we read during the Easter season. All the disciples (with the guidance of the Apostles and strengthened by the Holy Spirit) were going out to preach in Jerusalem. There were some great successes, even amid challenges and outright violence against them. They prayed, studied, and gathered to remember Jesus in the early forms of the Mass at Eucharistic meals. Then they went off to where they were prompted by the Holy Spirit to preach and sometimes to perform miracles. The Easter season is when we remember that Jesus invited us to be his witnesses to the world. This is part of the logic behind beginning an Alpha in the Easter season. The whole parish was invited to be part of this and there are many people involved in different aspects, from hospitality and intercessory prayer to food service, leading discussions at tables, and even cleaning up. All of the works serve to welcome those who are away from, unsure of, or unknowing about God. So, what is evangelization exactly? I have been hearing that it sounds like we are trying to convince others to believe what we believe. While some of that is true, and we do hope that primarily people come a to relationship and faith in Jesus, evangelization is not quite that. So what is it exactly? It is the presentation of the story of Jesus and what he has done for all of us and then an invitation to know Him and invite others to have a personal relationship with him too.
When I was younger, I remember that our parents would have us “go outside”. It was an open direction. We could hang around the yard or go to the park, but the idea was to get out of the house. This is how I met many of my lifelong friends. They too were “outside” and we gradually learned each other’s names, played sports together, saw each other in church, became part of youth groups, etc. We were introduced to each other’s families and they were introduced to ours. It was a long process of building friendships and sometimes relationships that became marriages. Evangelization is somewhat like this. We Christians are sent to “go outside” and meet others and, as we get to know them, share Jesus with them and then let them begin to know Jesus through us. Then Jesus takes over and starts to build a relationship with them too. It is always mutual. One has to want a relationship with Jesus before he enters in completely, but he is always knocking.
After Mass last week, a parishioner suggested that I stop saying that we should wear our crosses on the outside to signal that we are Christians. They suggested that first we be hospitable, welcoming, and charitable. I agree that this is a better introduction than wearing your cross to announce your beliefs. There is some good research to support this.
In a wonderful book I have been consulting, Sherry Weddell’s “Forming Intentional Disciples”, she suggests that there are stages of coming to believe through seeing the behavior of others, i.e., Christians. First, a disciple has to be trustworthy before a person will be willing to open themselves to another to talk about faith, God, etc. So we have to ask ourselves, am I a trustworthy disciple? Do I live as a disciple and am I welcoming to those who are seeking God, or answers, or consolation? Seekers are fragile and so as believers, we have to challenge ourselves to be welcoming and patient. So the challenging question this week is, What kind of disciple am I?
More on evangelization next week and the coming bulletins.
Peace,
Father Murray
Building news. As all can see, the scaffolding is up and around the front of the church. The masonry company informs me that there are some significant issues with the sandstone arches. We have also asked them to work on the lintels on the school side of the building.
Some of them are quite deteriorated and will need to be replaced. They expect to begin taking down the scaffolding by June 1 if the weather cooperates.
