M
mellowcalico
Guest
Something I’ve been wondering for a while now, why are we told that we should be evangelical towards non-Catholics? I’ve heard this message more than once in Church. That we can’t just be Catholic by ourselves and that we need to spread the message and “tell” people. I assume this means being evangelical about Catholicism.
The reason I ask is because I just have this feeling that in this modern age when everyone around me has heard of Christianity/Catholicism and is aware of Jesus and the Church, that “preaching” might not be a style of spreading the message about the faith that best fits everyone.
For myself, I like to lead by example. I try to be a good, forgiving, Catholic person. I don’t preach to people. And in general, people tend to like me and I make a lot of friends. But then, when it’s appropriate, I let them know my religious persuasion. It might be at Lent when I am going to lunch with friends and I inform them that I must abstain from meat on a Friday or if I mention I can meet them after I go to Church, etc. This method has softened the hearts of some of my more liberal and often time agnostic friends. Sometimes they are shocked to find that I am religious… but at the same time “accepting” of them.
Of course it can be argued that I haven’t “converted” anyone, but I’ve made them stop and think and in some cases indirectly falsified their pre-conceived notions about Catholicism. Before they had a solid opinion on what Catholics were, but I change assumption by example. This in turns leaves them more open, they don’t feel they need to “put up defenses.” I hint and clue at things that make them more curious and they read more on their own or answer questions if I can, but I let them come to me. It doesn’t always work, but neither does preaching. I can say that I’ve indirectly brought some Catholics back to the Church by example though.
I am just curious what people think. Please note, I am not saying being evangelical about Catholicism is wrong and shouldn’t be done. I am just saying it’s not a fit for everyone (on the giving and receiving end) and maybe other means of spreading Jesus’ message are just as valid.
What do you think?
The reason I ask is because I just have this feeling that in this modern age when everyone around me has heard of Christianity/Catholicism and is aware of Jesus and the Church, that “preaching” might not be a style of spreading the message about the faith that best fits everyone.
For myself, I like to lead by example. I try to be a good, forgiving, Catholic person. I don’t preach to people. And in general, people tend to like me and I make a lot of friends. But then, when it’s appropriate, I let them know my religious persuasion. It might be at Lent when I am going to lunch with friends and I inform them that I must abstain from meat on a Friday or if I mention I can meet them after I go to Church, etc. This method has softened the hearts of some of my more liberal and often time agnostic friends. Sometimes they are shocked to find that I am religious… but at the same time “accepting” of them.
Of course it can be argued that I haven’t “converted” anyone, but I’ve made them stop and think and in some cases indirectly falsified their pre-conceived notions about Catholicism. Before they had a solid opinion on what Catholics were, but I change assumption by example. This in turns leaves them more open, they don’t feel they need to “put up defenses.” I hint and clue at things that make them more curious and they read more on their own or answer questions if I can, but I let them come to me. It doesn’t always work, but neither does preaching. I can say that I’ve indirectly brought some Catholics back to the Church by example though.
I am just curious what people think. Please note, I am not saying being evangelical about Catholicism is wrong and shouldn’t be done. I am just saying it’s not a fit for everyone (on the giving and receiving end) and maybe other means of spreading Jesus’ message are just as valid.
What do you think?