Catholic Evangelizer

We all have the power to befriend others on their journey through daily life by treating them as companions along the way.  It is an awesome thing that God allows us this privilege of tending relationships in everyday life. And what incredible confidence God has in us, that even though we are often weak and sinful, we can also befriend others in the name and in the presence of Jesus.

Jesus befriended many along the road and in the towns.  He actually began his ministry by building relationships with one apostle after another: John, Andrew, Peter, Philip and others, “They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him…” (Gospel of John 1:36-49). And in befriending many more, Jesus also became a sign of God’s universal mercy – through preaching, teaching, and healing.  John’s Gospel, goes so far as to equate staying or remaining with Jesus as being his friend.

How can we imitate Jesus more fully by befriending others in the context of a vital relationship with our friend, Jesus Christ? First, in daily prayer, we can ask Jesus to show us someone who is experiencing stress, transition, or need. Second, when we encounter him or her, we can ask, “How are you doing?” If the answer is, “Fine!” Then ask how fine, and just listen for at least five minutes. Without interrupting, arguing, or giving advice, just be a friend and listen. If there is no response, wait for another opening on another day. Third, when you do listen, ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you with one practical, concrete thing you can do to show compassion (i.e. acknowledge the situation, help her or him find the kind of help that is being sought, check in regularly, extend an invitation to coffee or a meal, offer to pray with him/her).

Befriending others is a basic and essential way of reflecting the love of Christ, of being sent to evangelize. It is the first stage of the “process of evangelization” (see link below) and is referred to by Pope Francis as the “art of accompaniment” (“The Joy of the Gospel,” 169). Jesus sent St. John, St. Andrew, St. Peter, St. Philip, and now sends “saints like us,” to be his witnesses, first by being caring friends  in our families, in our neighborhood, at work, in the community, and in our parish pews. How might you pay closer attention to others and welcome them into your daily life, as well as parish life?

(For more on the process of evangelization see “Keys for Welcoming Catholics Back to the Lord’s Table”)

How would you complete this sentence? “Oh, if only I could win a million dollars in the lottery, I would share some of it with______”

But wait, St. Catherine Drexel did “win” the lottery at birth and decided to spend it ALL on poor Black and Native American children. Others, like St. Frances Cabrini, spent every ounce of strength building hospitals and schools. And also saints like Martin de Porres spent time on sick, hungry and poor immigrant slaves. Still others, like the soon to be canonized, Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin, combined their professional talents and spent their lives alongside a handful of employees in their lace-making business, while they raised nine children to love God, including their daughter, St. Therese of Lisieux. But what all these saints spent was nothing, compared to what was in their hearts, an all-encompassing, evangelizing compassion for the needs of body, mind, and soul.

Have you embraced this kind of compassion?  Do you spend yourself by responding with Christ-centered concern, with listening, and with acts of physical, emotional and spiritual mercy? Are you even aware of the spiritual needs of others?  Does all that you do for others bring them closer to God? Here are some steps you can take: First comes realizing that this is humanly impossible. Second, is an awareness of God’s call to a deeper and more multi-faceted love in all of your relationships.  Third, is asking for God‘s promised Holy Spirit who inspired St. Catherine Drexel, Blessed Louis & Zelie Martin, St. Frances Cabrini, St. Martin De Porres and countless others.

Come Holy Spirit. Empower us to participate in God’s transforming love for those we serve. Strengthen us as we befriend those around us. Intervene in their lives and multiply our resources as we reach out in love. We say ‘Yes!’ We choose to spend it all, Lord. Help us join the saints as evangelizing witnesses to Jesus Christ, the answer to all human needs and the true source of all mercy and compassion. Come Holy Spirit. Come… Amen.