The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic 4/4 – Evangelization

“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 lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” –Mt 28:19-20 (RSVCE)

We are called to always be in the state of evangelization to those who don’t know Christ and to those who know Christ but have lost His scent. Evangelization is spreading the Good News through one’s testimony of being affected and transformed by the Gospel—the life of Jesus. We don’t need to be theologians and articulate with our words, nor flowery with our exhortations. We only need to be a witness to the transforming power of God’s love through Jesus. The world has enough teachers. We need more witnesses. It’s through the witnessing of one’s life that others catch the fragrance of Christ and they become drawn to Him through you.

However, and of course we can never discount the fact that we will eventually be called to evangelize with our words so let us be intimate with the Word of God through prayer, Scripture, and the Sacraments. He will enable us to speak. We have nothing to worry so long as we speak from our hearts, convicted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Holiness goes hand in hand with evangelization because when we are before God in Heaven He will check to see who we brought with us. We are a community of saints. So let us be like the saints in history who have inspired multitudes to be like Jesus through the way they lived their lives. In terms of our future and vocation, we only need to ask this one question: “how is the Lord calling me to make disciples of all nations?” This will lead us to our calling. This is the job and the great commission the Lord has called every one of His disciples!

Praise be God!

Our Lady of Guadalupe, star of the New Evangelization, pray for us!

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!” –Romans 10:15

 

Evangelizing by any Means Necessary

The other day my phone got stolen.

I was walking around downtown Vancouver and someone reached into my pocket and took it. Don’t ask me what happened, I obviously did not see it. But, to be honest, although I’m sad about losing such an expensive phone (whyyy are Apple products sooo expensive?!), I’m more upset about losing the things in the phone. All my old messages, all the photos I hadn’t uploaded yet, all the apps that keep me close to my brothers and sisters.

And though I’m upset with whoever stole it, I do pray that they take a few minutes and look through my phone. As invasive as it is, my phone is filled with encouragement from my brothers and sisters. My photo albums are filled with Bible verses and pictures of our Christ, our mother, and the saints. I hope they open up all my Catholic apps. I pray that they see the lock screen and God uses that to touch them.

God works in mysterious ways. And maybe He needed my phone more than I did, to reach out to others.

Praise God