In the Book of Acts, Luke tells us that the first Christians dedicated themselves to “the teaching of the apostles” (Acts 2:42). He tells us also that “they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Messiah, Jesus” (5:42). It is clear that the early church took the time to study and learn the message that Jesus preached. It’s also clear that they took what they learned and told other people about it. For some, it was a basic message about Jesus as the Messiah whose death and resurrection had freed them from their sins. And for others, like Paul, it was a more nuanced message that encompassed the whole of salvation history. But whether their message was simple or complex, these people were committed to it and persisted in learning it more clearly so that they could present it more clearly.
Starting Point: Build Your Database
If we want to be effective in sharing the gospel, we need to follow the early Christians’ example and learn the apostles’ teaching. Study Bibles, commentaries, and similar books can help us understand the teachings in the Bible. The Catechism of the Catholic Church can give us a good grounding in understanding church teachings. And finally, lives of the saints can be invaluable in showing us how different people lived out the gospel in different times and situations.
Try to come up with a plan to read books, including the Bible, which will help to build up your database. It is true that the early church was comprised mainly of uneducated people who were passionate about Jesus. But our world is much different. We have so many more resources, we have a much higher level of education, and the people around us will have more complex questions that we need to be able to answer.
The main challenge we face today is the temptation to devote all of our time and energy to our other responsibilities. It can be so easy to feel overwhelmed by all that we have to do in the course of a day—and that can lead us to put aside the call to build up our faith. It is an old saying, but it still applies today: If you are too busy to pray, you are simply too busy. Similarly, if you are too busy to deepen your faith and build up your database, you are probably too busy as well. Take the time, even if it means carving out just fifteen extra minutes a day, to learn and grow. If you do, you’ll find yourself growing in confidence. You’ll find yourself more eager to share what you are learning. And you’ll find the people around you more drawn to your witness.
Listen. Then Go!
“Our faith is stronger than death, our philosophy is firmer than flesh, and the spread of the kingdom of God upon the earth is more sublime and more compelling. We Catholics must pray, act and sacrifice together for Christ the King, for the spread of his kingdom and the salvation of the world. We Catholics, together, can conquer the world” (Dorothy Day, The Catholic Worker, December 1935).
God has special plans for your life, and for all of us. These plans take root in us when we come to see that Jesus wants to conquer the world and that he is inviting all of us to join him in his mission. God has wonderful plans for all of us: plans for us to grow in holiness, plans for us to evangelize, plans for us to build the church. We will realize these plans and fulfill them only to the degree that we are passionate for Jesus. Why? Because passionate people are determined to listen to Jesus. They want to hear his voice and discover his plans for their lives.
Think about Paul. If he had not been open to the Spirit’s promptings during his second missionary journey, he would have followed his initial plan to go to Bithynia. But Paul had a sense that God was sending him into Macedonia instead, so he changed his plans (Acts 16:7-9). If Paul hadn’t followed the Spirit, it is possible that the church at Philippi would never have been born.
Similarly, if Peter had not been trying to discern God’s will, he might have missed the Spirit prompting him to go visit the centurion Cornelius. But Peter did follow this lead—even though he didn’t know why God would send him to a pagan—and it resulted in a new wave of conversions among the Gentiles and a new openness in the church to people other than Jews. And it all happened because Peter was passionate about hearing from God and following his will.
You Belong to God
Brothers, we can conquer the world for Jesus. This is what the first Christians did, and it is our calling as well. Jesus will not rest until every human being has heard the gospel, and he is calling us to be his heralds. This is the reason why we are on the earth. Don’t let the devil fool you into thinking that the secret to happiness is idleness. Remember: “You belong to God … for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Remember, too, that the One who is in you has great plans in store for you, and he has given you everything you need to fulfill those plans.
So let’s examine our disposition and ask how we can put Jesus and his goals for his church ahead of every other priority. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to make us more passionate for Jesus and his gospel. Let’s also take steps to build up our database by reading more, praying more, and studying more. Let’s also be sure to devote part of our daily prayer to asking God to reveal his plans for us.
“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37). Let’s tell Jesus that we want to join him in gathering the harvest. Without a doubt, it is the most fulfilling way to live.
(Joe Difato is the publisher of “The Word Among Us” devotional magazine. To contact him, go to his website at www.joedifato.com. Many thanks to The Word Among Us (http://www.wau.org/) for allowing us to use his article from their July issue. Used with permission.)
Questions for Reflection/Discussion
1. In the article, we hear these words: “It is clear that the early church took the time to study and learn the message that Jesus preached. It’s also clear that they took what they learned and told other people about it.” Why do you think it is important to “study and learn the message that Jesus preached” as part of our formation into effective evangelizers?
2. The article goes on to say these words: “For some, it was a basic message about Jesus as the Messiah whose death and resurrection had freed them from their sins. And for others, like Paul, it was a more nuanced message that encompassed the whole of salvation history. But whether their message was simple or complex, these people were committed to it and persisted in learning it more clearly so that they could present it more clearly.” In sharing the Gospel message with somone, why is it important to recognize that “one size does not fit all”?
3. What are the steps can you take “to build up your database” of the Gospel message and the teachings of the Church? What are the obstacles you face in implementing these steps and how can you overcome them?
4. Dorothy Day is quoted as saying: “We Catholics must pray, act and sacrifice together for Christ the King, for the spread of his kingdom and the salvation of the world. We Catholics, together, can conquer the world” What do these words mean and how do they apply to you?
5. “God has wonderful plans for all of us: plans for us to grow in holiness, plans for us to evangelize, plans for us to build the church. We will realize these plans and fulfill them only to the degree that we are passionate for Jesus. Why? Because passionate people are determined to listen to Jesus. They want to hear his voice and discover his plans for their lives.” What do these words from the article mean to you?
6. The last paragraph of the article begins with this Scripture: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37). If you are in a men’s group, take some time at the end of your meeting to pray for one another to hear and respond to Jesus’ call to you “to join him in gathering the harvest.”
(The discussion questions were created by Maurice Blumberg, a Trustee of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men (http://www.catholicmensresources.org/), and currently the Director of Partner Relations for Partners in Evangelism, (http://www2.wau.org/partners/), a Ministry of The Word Among Us to the Military and Prisoners. Maurice can be contacted at [email protected].)
