If someone were to tell you that you need to evangelize other men, what would be your reaction? Perhaps, it might be, "I evangelize by example not with words. That's what priests and deacons do." Or maybe, it would be, "I would like to, but I'm not trained or knowledgeable enough to do it." Or maybe, "That's something Evangelical Protestants do, not Catholics." However, how do these types of responses compare with the teachings of the Church? Here are a few examples:
Catechism of the Catholic Church
"The disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it."
John Paul II
"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)."
Pope Benedict XVI
"Nowadays, in a special way the world needs people capable of proclaiming and bearing witness to God who is love. The Church's mission is the extension of Christ's mission: to bring God's love to all, proclaiming it with words and with the concrete testimony of charity."
In the book of Acts, after the Apostles Peter and John had healed a crippled man at the Temple (Acts 3:6-8), they were then ordered by the Sanhedrin, "not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus" (Acts 4:18). Here was there response: "We cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20). Have you ever had something wonderful happen, and you couldn't wait to share it with your family or friends? It's hard to keep the news inside because you are so excited. Peter and John were witnesses to something so wonderful that it had changed their whole lives: They had seen Jesus, risen from the dead! They had heard Jesus promise to be with them always. They had even received the Holy Spirit in their hearts. How could they keep quiet about all of this? What about us? Can we keep quiet, knowing that through faith, Baptism, and the other Sacraments we have experienced Christ's love and forgiveness? Haven't our lives also been touched in a powerful way by our risen Lord?
When Peter and John went to the Temple, they probably had no idea what was going to happen. But God was already at work, laying the foundation for his plan to touch many people that day. Certainly the apostles had spent time praying that morning, worshiping their friend who had ascended into heaven and recalling all that he had done in their lives. Certainly, too, they were confident that Jesus was with them, ready to work in power.
You can just imagine them asking each other, "What do you think Jesus will do today?" Then right before them was a man whom God loved and wanted to heal. Everything was in place, just as God had planned. With one hand, Peter took hold of God's grace. With the other, he reached out to this man.
Can you imagine yourself thinking and acting just as Peter and John did? It's possible, you know. Just as Jesus used these two apostles to heal and convert a lame man, he wants to work through you to reveal himself to people in your life. Consider an elderly gentleman facing risky surgery, terrified of what might happen if he doesn't survive the procedure. He has practiced his faith and prayed faithfully his whole life, and yet he still couldn't believe that Jesus would welcome him home. Wouldn't you want to encourage this man with the good news of God's mercy? What about those who have distanced themselves from God and indulged in sin and rebellion? Could there be mercy for them? Should they dare to trust after living such a self-destructive life? Absolutely!
God has placed you in circumstances like these where you can share about who Jesus is and what he has done. You have the Holy Spirit in you, empowering you to speak of God's love with confidence. He will give you the courage and boldness you need. All you have to do is imitate Peter: With one hand, take hold of God's grace, and with the other, reach out in faith and confidence. Tell others about Jesus' love and forgiveness. You'll be amazed at what can happen!
"Lord Jesus, open my eyes to see the people I can evangelize. Give me confidence, too, that I have much to share with them. Holy Spirit, give me the boldness I need to open my mouth and speak words of healing, promise, and truth."
Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing us to adapt material from daily meditations in their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission.
Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men
1. How would you describe the importance of evangelization in the Church's mission?
2. How would you respond if someone told you that you need to evangelize other men? In what way would your answer be different or similar to the ones in the article?
3. In the article, we read these words, "God has placed you in circumstances like these where you can share about who Jesus is and what he has done. You have the Holy Spirit in you, empowering you to speak of God's love with confidence. He will give you the courage and boldness you need." Do you believe this is true for you? Why or why not?
4. What are some obstacles in your life that keep you from evangelizing other men? What steps can you take to overcome them, beginning with prayer?
5. If you are in a men's group, end your meeting by praying to the Lord for one another that each of you would be "evangelizers." Use the prayer at the end of the article as the starting point.
