“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, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
How are you when it comes to evangelizing? Are you a bold Paul? Or, do you hold back in worry of being judged or not knowing enough?
The Great Commission Jesus gave us is huge and terrifying for the lowly layperson. How am I to evangelize anyone when I’m not educated in the Bible or Church? What if I don’t know an answer or worse, say something wrong?
It takes an immense amount of courage to walk up to someone and start talking about your faith, especially the first time(s). It takes a lot of wisdom and courage to steer a conversation to setup an opening to talk about your faith. But, it can be done – and, it does get easier, so I hear haha.
One of the best tips I can give is to not catechize. Evangelism is not educating and catechizing. It is sharing what Jesus and the Church has done for you. I assume, if you’re reading this, Jesus and the Catholic Church have touched you deeply in some manner. Tell about that. A soul can try to deflect or tear down your catechizing but finds it difficult to dispute your personal story. Had a RV neighbor ask me if I’d ever considered joining a ‘Bible Church’ over the Catholic Church. I smiled and told him no. It is simply as to why I could never leave the Church. One, it is truly the only Bible Church available. We cycle and read the full Bible in our Liturgy of the Word. Unlike non-denominational ‘Bible’ churches that get the Bible the pastor picks and chooses. The Catholic Church dates back to Jesus and the upper room on Holy Thursday – no other does. And, more importantly, I know that in the Eucharist, Jesus is present. He is not present like this anywhere else in creation but the Catholic Church. Ten minutes of conversation later, no catechizing, he said he ‘might have to look into the Catholic Church sometime.’
The second and biggest reminder and point, never ever forget that Jesus is always present with you. You’re not stepping out toward that family member or stranger alone. Jesus is there and sends His Holy Spirit to guide the moment and your words. Trust Him. Sometimes the moment doesn’t come up, if not, it may be because the moment isn’t right. Pray for the person and try again later if available.
The key is to step out and try to evangelize. Learn and practice your story. Know how to tell it in 3 minute intro, a ten minute pass by and the full story for those opportunities.
“One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision, “Do not be afraid.
Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you” Acts 18:9-10
“If God is for us, who is against us?” Romans 8:31