This time of year we celebrate. Yet we’re reminded of how the Holy Family, who through persecution, joys, labors, prayers and sufferings, dealt with the ups and downs of life.
As they brought the reason for the season humbly and quietly into the world, Mary and Joseph had a difficult mission as the first evangelists. They showed believers that God always had the plan of salvation in mind. And by God’s grace, they were his holy, human vessels to help fulfill the plan he designed for us after the Fall. As soon as sin entered the world: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 Jn 3:8).
Evangelizing — bringing to people the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ — is no easy task. Enthusiastic, thought-provoking, charismatic witnesses, preachers and teachers have special, God-given gifts. Collectively, these gifts are given to few. However, nothing is impossible for God, and through prayer, practical wisdom and other virtues we — the body of Christ — can learn and use the gifts we are given to better know, love and serve him. And with these gifts, we are all called to evangelize the gift of Jesus this season. Yet, our accountability to evangelize stretches across all seasons.
In reviewing my notes from the Catholic Watchmen rally last month in Elko-New Market, which was hosted graciously by Father Patrick Barnes and St. Nicholas church, I noted the various questions directed to our guest and chief shepherd, Archbishop Bernard Hebda. After his response to the first question on how he prays, some hard-hitting questions followed. The handling of priests and bishops associated with the recent sexual abuse crisis, Pope Francis’ leadership and cultural attributes, and discerning “irregular situations,” to name a few. A member of the audience also posed a question about sanctification and evangelization. He asked how, as Catholic men in this archdiocese, can we be better at evangelization?
Scripture tells us that “the Gospel must first be preached to all nations” (Mk 13:10). Jesus said this while with his inner circle of disciples, foretelling of persecutions and of a dismal outcome for Jerusalem. “But he who endures to the end will be saved”
(Mk 13:13). Subsequently, missionaries of the time spread the Good News of the saving grace of Jesus to much of the Roman Empire. Since the Church is still around thanks to those early evangelists who endured, we learn from the early Church that persistence pays.
Perhaps it is the “how?” of evangelizing that can hold one back. The response the archbishop gave was succinct, suggesting that one approach to evangelization was for the men to continue to participate in the Catholic Watchmen movement.
Pope St. Paul VI put it most powerfully: “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” Witnesses build relationships of trust. And evangelists are witnesses who attract people by the way they live, building relationships and gaining friendships that invite others to take the next step. And that next step could be an offer to attend Mass, a monthly parish gathering for men, the next Catholic Watchmen rally, Bible Boot Camp or the numerous activities at various venues throughout the archdiocese that provide fellowship and brotherhood.
For example, I’ve been attending a monthly First Friday men’s breakfast for 16 months. It’s created to expand the choir — so to speak — by inviting men to an opportunity to be better men by seeking Christ. Designed as a pre-evangelization activity, it is simple and efficient — 6:15-7:15 a.m. — with no hard, come-to-Jesus meeting, which makes it curiously attractive. Personal relationships have been the most successful way to boost attendance at the breakfast, but multimedia outreach has worked as well. And with follow-up, it can lead to a next step. Down the road, more active missionary disciples may be added to the Good Shepherd’s flock.
We certainly need to use effective resources and creative tools in missionary discipleship. But first we need to bring people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ by using compassionate, compelling listening skills and by engaging in relationships. By offering ourselves and our God-given gifts each and every day to those with whom we interact, we bring the gift of Christ.
“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness” (Rom 12: 6-8).
We all have gifts to give!
Deacon Bird ministers at St. Joseph in Rosemount and assists the Catholic Watchmen movement of the archdiocese’s Office of Evangelization. Learn about Catholic Watchmen at rediscover.archspm.org/the-catholic-watchmen or at facebook.com/thecatholicwatchmen.
