[Editor's Note: This is the sixth of a series of articles on the theme, “Growing in Faith and Spiritual Maturity as Catholic Men.” Click here to find the first article, second article, third article, fourth article, and fifth article.]
This is a continuation of articles on three stages of growth in our Christian lives as Catholic men, i.e.,
1. Conversion
2. Transformation
3. Mobilization for Mission (especially Evangelization)
The first three Catholic Man Channel articles have covered each of the three stages of growth. The previous two articles described our mission or call to evangelization and some different ways to put this call into practice. This article describes a simple, but proven approach to evangelizing other men. Before we describe this approach, let’s first consider what the Church teaches about evangelization.
Paul VI, “Evangelization in the Modern World, Evangelii, Nuntiando”
• “We wish to confirm once more that the task of evangelizing all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church. It is a task and mission which the vast and profound changes of present day society make all the more urgent. Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize….”
• “Evangelism will always contain — as the foundation, center, and at the same time the summit of its dynamism — a clear proclamation that, in Jesus Christ … salvation is offered to all men, as a gift of God's grace and mercy.”
John Paul II, “The Mission of Christ the Redeemer, Redemtoris Missio”
• “The moment has come to commit all of the Church's energies to a new evangelism [a reevangelization of Christian communities that have lost their original vigor] and to the mission ad gentes (the Church's mission “to the nations,” regions not yet touched by Christianity).”
• “The new evangelism is not a matter of merely passing on doctrine, but rather of a personal and profound meeting with the Savior.”
• “The Kingdom of God is not a concept, a doctrine, or program subject to free interpretation, but is before all else a person with the face of Jesus of Nazareth, the image of the invisible God. If the Kingdom is separated from Jesus, it is no longer the kingdom of God which he revealed…”
• “No believer in Christ, no institution of the Church can avoid this supreme duty: to proclaim Christ to all peoples.”
• “An essential characteristic of this missionary spirituality is intimate communion with Christ.”
• “It is not possible to bear witness to Christ without reflecting his image, which is made alive in us by grace and the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Other Quotes of John Paul II on Evangelism
• Sometimes even Catholics have lost or never had the chance to experience Christ personally; not Christ as a mere 'paradigm', but the Living Lord: 'the way, the truth, and the life’ (John 14:6).” John Paul II's address to American Bishops
• “Evangelism cannot be new in its content since its very theme is always the one Gospel given in Jesus Christ.” John Paul II, “The Task of the Latin American Bishops,” Origins 12, March 24, 1983
The teachings of the Church on evangelization are quite clear. Putting them into practice is another story, since most of us as Catholic men have little or no experience in trying to reach out to other men for Jesus Christ. Let me present a simple approach that I believe all Catholic men are able to implement.
An Approach to Reaching Out to Men for Christ
1. Prayerfully identify three men not known to be Christians from your friends, work colleagues, neighbors, and/or recreation. If possible, try to characterize each man as either a non-Christian, unchurched Christian, cultural/nominal Christians (Catholic or non-Catholic), or a seeker. Your prayers and your approach may be different for each of these categories.
2. Begin praying for them on a daily basis. Ask the Lord to open their hearts to recognize their need to know Jesus Christ and the salvation he has won for them through his cross and resurrection. Also, begin praying that when it is appropriate, the Lord would give you the grace and courage (and the opportunity) to speak the right words about your own relationship with Christ, and the difference it has made in your life.
3. Invite each man to a one-on-one “non-agenda” meal (or with his spouse). The purpose of this meal (and subsequent ones) is to get to know him better and build a relationship with him.
4. As appropriate, consider asking each man for any prayer requests.
5. At a later time, consider inviting each of the men to some outreach event at the Church, such as a Bible study, discussion group, or book club. Also, if he is open, invite him to attend Mass with you.
6. Continue praying and seeking to expose them to other evangelistic opportunities.
7. Once a man expresses a sincere desire to make a commitment to Christ, help him to become involved in an RCIA program (if he wants to become Catholic), or some evangelistic or pre-evangelism program at a church in his geographic area. If there are already evangelistic men’s groups at your church or elsewhere, consider inviting him to one of them.
Perhaps these steps seem daunting, but the key thing to remember is that the Lord loves these men more than you, and he desires to reveal that love to each of the men. Also, remember that it’s not your efforts that will save a man, but it is through the gift of faith, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that a man will turn his heart towards Christ. Nevertheless, God is asking each of us to play our part in this marvelous work through prayer and a willing heart. Let’s once again remember the words of Pope Paul VI, “We wish to confirm once more that the task of evangelizing all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church” and John Paul II, “No believer in Christ, no institution of the Church can avoid this supreme duty: to proclaim Christ to all peoples.”
Lord Jesus, I ask for a heart open and willing to respond to the “essential mission” of the Church to evangelize others. I ask you to bless in a special way the men I will be praying for, that you would place an openness and hunger in their hearts for you. May the words I speak to these men be pleasing to you and be in accordance with your will for them. May they come to know the divine love, mercy, peace, and joy that can only come from receiving you as Lord and Savior.
(Maurice Blumberg is Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men. This article is part of NFCM's sponsorship of the Catholic Man channel. Contact NFCM at P.O. Box 86381, Gaithersburg, MD 20886 or e-mail them at info@nfcmusa.org. Many thanks to Man in the Mirror for allowing us to adapt material from their Reach 3 Challenge. Used with permission. If you would like to make a contribution to the NFCM, just click here.)
Reflection Questions on Page 2
Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men
1. What was your reaction to the quotes on evangelization by Paul VI and John Paul II? What impact did they have on your own ideas about evangelization?
2. Why do you think the call to evangelization is the “essential mission” and “supreme duty” of all members of the Church?
3. Are you able to identify three men to pray for? In what way might your prayers or approach to them be different depending on whether they are non-Christians, unchurched Christians, cultural/nominal Christians (Catholic or non-Catholic), or seekers?
4. Put into practice the seven-step approach outlined in this article, and if you are in a men’s group, share the fruits of doing this at future men’s meetings.
5. If you are in a men’s group, at the end of your meeting (and future meetings) pray for one another and for the men you identified (use the prayer at the end of the article).
