We spend a lot of time talking about practical skills and strategies for helping our Church grow, and we should — the Church tells us that all the lay faithful have the “right and the duty to evangelize” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 900). We know that most Catholics don’t feel confident defending their faith or sharing the good news with others, so it’s important to offer training and opportunities to help build up our skills for situations in which we can share about Jesus and our Catholic faith.
I often wonder, though, if we place too much value on what we should do to evangelize, and not enough on what the Lord is doing — and in what He has already done.
One of my favorite encouragements from Pope Francis’ “Joy of the Gospel” is this: “The joy of evangelizing always arises from a grateful remembrance” (“Evangelii Gaudium,” 13). I have heard Archbishop Rozanski call the “Joy of the Gospel” the “Magna Carta for evangelization in the Church for the 21st century,” and I think he’s right.
The Holy Father started his pontificate by reminding us not only of what we are called to do but who we are: “In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples” (“Evangelii Gaudium,” 120).
All of us who are baptized are called to be a witness to others of what God has done in our lives. If we don’t feel ready to be a witness, perhaps we need to spend more time unpacking the graces we have received from the Lord.
There’s a simple rule for evangelization that I think might be helpful here: We can’t give what we don’t have. By our baptism, we have received a tremendous gift. There is nothing that you or I can do on our own to save ourselves — everything is grace!
As we deepen our discipleship, we become more aware of the ways that we need Jesus, and we become more aware of the gift of grace that we receive in baptism active in our lives.
We become aware of the broken areas of our life that need healing — where we need to let Jesus love us. Everyone, no matter how graced or blessed in life, is in need of healing. If we are unwilling to let Jesus heal the most hurt places in our hearts, we won’t be effective evangelists.
Sometimes those hurts come from those closest to us. Sometimes they come from people in our parishes, or we may even feel wounded by the Church or her leaders. Jesus wants to heal all of them. He wants to love us in the places we feel most unlovable, where we are afraid to let go of the wounds that sometimes we can let define us. Only when we receive this healing and life each day with a grateful remembrance of what the Lord has done for us can we truly be the witnesses the world needs.
Where to start
Begin the habit of a silent weekly Holy Hour in adoration
In these quiet moments the Lord can reveal to us where we most need to receive His love and can give us courage to pursue healing in our lives.
Visit the sacrament of reconciliation
The Lord is waiting to forgive us of all our shortcomings and heal us of our wounds — and every priest I know deeply desires to help us receive that healing. Don’t be afraid to return to confession, even if it’s been a while!
Pray the Litany of Trust
This simple but powerful prayer helps us to remember that God is bigger than any obstacle in our lives and can help us trust in His goodness and providence.
Share with others
Find a group of friends and begin sharing faith regularly — and vulnerably. Study the word of God and the Catholic faith and pray together about how the Lord is calling you to healing and mission.
