Catholic Evangelizer

Come Holy Spirit!

John’s drug addicted cousin, Jim, stumbled to the door declaring, “What do you want?”

“I just want to talk. Can I come in?” As they settled into two decrepit chairs John blurted out, “I came to tell you about how I met Jesus and how he has made me a new person.” Then he described his experience on a recent retreat weekend.

Jim shouted in John’s face, “I can’t hear you! I have hated you since we were kids! You always invited my older brothers to stay at your house, but you never once invited me.”

John stared at him for several agonizing moments, while inwardly crying out, “O MY GOD!” Finally, sensing the Holy Spirit’s help for them both, he stammered, “Jim, I am so sorry for hurting you. Please forgive me.” “NO!” answered Jim, as he ended the visit.

Then fifteen years later, on Christmas Day—Jim called to share the joy of his own conversion to Christ and his healing from addiction. “You’re the first person I wanted to tell, John, because it all started when you asked me to forgive you!”

This story reminds us that when we seek to evangelize, we are dependent on the action of the Spirit; for what we say and for another’s response –both being “works of the Holy Spirit.” (Go and Make Disciples: A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States, no 10)  Here are seven ways we can grow in radical sensitivity to the Holy Spirit as we strive to share our faith.

1. Pray for others. Humbly come before the Holy Spirit daily, giving God permission to do whatever is needed to bring us and others in our lives, parishes, our families, and workplaces into deeper relationships with Jesus and the Church. Pray for the grace to love unconditionally, also.
2. Look for ways the Spirit is already working in others’ lives. Adopt an ever-expanding vision of the many ways the Spirit moves in people. Thank God for what you see. But let go of any time-table for a next step in someone’s life.
3. Share ways the Spirit is working in the details of your life with other faith-filled people. This provides mutual encouragement to witness to those who are not regular church-goers.
4. Expect conversion when you share. We can expect new outpourings of the Spirit. Sharing stories of faith invites others to turn from self-centered sin and toward Christ. But let go of when this may happen.
5. Tell others about Jesus Christ as the Spirit leads. Blessed Pope Paul VI described this as the “touchstone of evangelization” (On Evangelization in the Modern World, 24), a clear sign that we are growing as disciples of Christ.
6. Let yourself be surprised by the Spirit. God’s deepest desire is to breathe new life into the Church and the world, person by person. The disciples of Jesus experienced the rushing fire of the Spirit on the feast of Pentecost, but the prophet Elijah experienced a gentle whispering voice.
7. Study and support Catholic evangelization so that multiple-overlapping ways to encounter Jesus are available, in ongoing one-to-one, small group, and large group settings. To learn more read, Sharing the Faith that You Love.

CELEBRATING THE LAUNCH OF OUR NEW FACEBOOK PAGE!

Any special plans for Easter: maybe a meal with family or friends, or an Easter egg hunt, or a trip to church in a new spring outfit? Lots of people like to check in with God for this holy celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus, because it underlines the hope of resurrection for earth and soul as well. Whether you consider yourself to be an occasional visitor to your local church or regular churchgoer, here are some easy ways to participate in an Easter welcome.

First of all, keep in mind that God has invited each of us to this year’s celebration. Jesus might call some from the midst of whatever spiritual climate change we are experiencing. The Holy Spirit might beckon through a small, steady voice behind too many drastic spiritual highs and lows. God might speak with a comforting voice, during the inner torrential rains that follows a death, a serious illness or a grave personal loss. God’s stillness might punctuate someone’s search for meaning when there no apparent answers. God speaks and invites. “O, Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit and when I rise up.” Psalm 139

Secondly, we are all meant to provide a spiritual home for one another, especially when we gather together as the Body of Christ. We are meant to be like the apostles in the same boat together with Jesus. So we ask you, “What will you do to make others feel at home?” Here are some suggestions.

1. Think about inviting someone to come with you this year and offer a ride.
2. Arrive early so you can greet others in the parking lot or on the steps of the church.
3. Move over in the pew before others enter the church. Smile when someone sits beside you.
4. If you know lots of the songs, sit near the back so that you can encourage others to sing by worshipping with full voice yourself.
5. Compliment someone or how nice they look or how beautiful their children are.
6. Introduce yourself to someone you don’t know. Ask what brought him or her here today.
7. Thank someone for coming. You might add, “I will look for you the next time I come.”
8. Pray that God will touch someone who has come after a long absence. You don’t have to know who, since God can pour out blessings in many, many ways.

Consider reading our book, Sharing the Faith That You Love, so you can learn more ways to welcome people every week.