How do YOU evangelize?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hoosier_Daddy
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Prodigal_Son said:
Very true. But a lot of us run into the opposite danger: thinking we must be “perfect” before we spread the Good News – which means we never get around to it.

It’s ironic, since one way we get perfected is by evangelizing!
Click to expand...
Yes!
 
.
I’m pleased to see that “I don’t evangelize; faith is personal and private” has received 0 (zero) votes.

I attended an RCIA program in 1996 when the instructor (who was new at this) appeared uncomfortable having to tell the class that the religion and faith that they would encounter in the context of Mass and devotions inside the Church does not have to leave those 4 walls, and when you go to your daily work or activities outside the confines of those 4 walls, you are not required to let everyone you meet know about your religion.

That is what I thought of when I saw answer #5 up there in this poll.

At the time, I questioned this doctrine, and the instructor seemed to be RELIEVED that I asked questions, as if he really didn’t believe it himself and was only saying what he had been told that he is required to say.
.
 
Pancras said:
.
I’m pleased to see that “I don’t evangelize; faith is personal and private” has received 0 (zero) votes.

I attended an RCIA program in 1996 when the instructor (who was new at this) appeared uncomfortable having to tell the class that the religion and faith that they would encounter in the context of Mass and devotions inside the Church does not have to leave those 4 walls, and when you go to your daily work or activities outside the confines of those 4 walls, you are not required to let everyone you meet know about your religion.

That is what I thought of when I saw answer #5 up there in this poll.

At the time, I questioned this doctrine, and the instructor seemed to be RELIEVED that I asked questions, as if he really didn’t believe it himself and was only saying what he had been told that he is required to say.
.
Click to expand...
Something was wrong there.
That isn’t Church teaching at all.
We are sent forth from Mass.
 
Prodigal_Son said:
Very true. But a lot of us run into the opposite danger: thinking we must be “perfect” before we spread the Good News – which means we never get around to it.

It’s ironic, since one way we get perfected is by evangelizing!
Click to expand...
Yes, I’ll buy that. Good point.
 
MacQ said:
You;re probably right…but unless our demeanor and our actions in general and in other things reflect loving and humility, people aren’t likely to respond well to “preaching”.
Especially if unsolicited.
Click to expand...
I can’t argue w/ that. If we do tell someone of our faith. we need to be prepared to be watched. They’ll even watch our response when we mess up. Being kind and considerate to others (yes, an ACTION) will demonstrate our faith and even help us through our shortcomings. Just getting out of our own “psycho-dramas” and focusing on others is great “preaching”!
 
ajaxbogs said:
I can’t argue w/ that. If we do tell someone of our faith. we need to be prepared to be watched. They’ll even watch our response when we mess up. Being kind and considerate to others (yes, an ACTION) will demonstrate our faith and even help us through our shortcomings. Just getting out of our own “psycho-dramas” and focusing on others is great “preaching”!
Click to expand...
Yes…well said.
 
You should have had a category which says,

All of the above.

The main way which we all use to evangelize is by actions. Keepping the Commandments. Doing good. Praying.

For instance, I pray in public. When I go to the gym, I pray the Rosary while I walk on the treadmill.

But I’m also a Catholic homeschooling Dad and I made sure to teach my children my faith.And we go to daily mass and pray together when we wake up, at every meal and at 3 o’clock for the Divine Mercy.

Because I pray in public, I get questions from my friends and acquaintances, “what are you doing? Why do you move your hand in front of your face? etc.”

I also chime in when Protestants are reading the bible anywhere in my vicinity. And I tell them when I agree or disagree with their reading. I am also about reading the Bible to them and explaining my understanding.

I have my own Catholic blog and I participate in discussions like these.

The only thing I don’t do is go door to door, but I enthusiastically greet anyone who comes to my door.

So, I believe your poll is flawed. The categories are not mutually exclusive. Most people evangelize in many ways. Even going to Mass and taking communion is a form of evangelization:

1 Corinthians 11:26
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

Sincerely,

De Maria
 
De_Maria said:
You should have had a category which says,

All of the above.

The main way which we all use to evangelize is by actions. Keepping the Commandments. Doing good. Praying.

For instance, I pray in public. When I go to the gym, I pray the Rosary while I walk on the treadmill.

But I’m also a Catholic homeschooling Dad and I made sure to teach my children my faith.And we go to daily mass and pray together when we wake up, at every meal and at 3 o’clock for the Divine Mercy.

Because I pray in public, I get questions from my friends and acquaintances, “what are you doing? Why do you move your hand in front of your face? etc.”

I also chime in when Protestants are reading the bible anywhere in my vicinity. And I tell them when I agree or disagree with their reading. I am also about reading the Bible to them and explaining my understanding.

I have my own Catholic blog and I participate in discussions like these.

The only thing I don’t do is go door to door, but I enthusiastically greet anyone who comes to my door.

So, I believe your poll is flawed. The categories are not mutually exclusive. Most people evangelize in many ways. Even going to Mass and taking communion is a form of evangelization:

1 Corinthians 11:26
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

Sincerely,

De Maria
Click to expand...
Yes, most polls on here are flawed.😉

Catholic Homeschooling dads unite! I’m going to check your blog out!
 
Hoosier_Daddy said:
Yes, most polls on here are flawed.😉

Catholic Homeschooling dads unite!
Click to expand...
That’s an awesome idea. Homeschooling moms bear the bulk of the burden. But there are lots of things we can learn from each other to contribute to and ease mom’s burden.
I’m going to check your blog out!
Click to expand...
Great! I hope you like it.
 
CruceSignati said:
Me too! And I thought I was some kind of pious kook for praying the Rosary on the treadmill…small Catholic world after all! 😃
Click to expand...
Its been very fruitful for me. I used to simply listen to the Rosary as I exercised. But there are so many distractions in a gym. So, I began to pray using my Rosary. I found that I would daydream too much. So now, I use my smartphone. I have to look at it every so often and it draws me back to my prayers. Especially if I lose my place.

I used to struggle to find time to both exercise and to pray. Now I combine the two. When I’m home, I combine my Rosary, walking (or riding my bike) with walking my dog.

I wish that I could find other people in my area who pray the Rosary while they walk. I think it would be an awesome evangelizing tool if people could see a daily parade of rosaries going by their homes.
 
De_Maria said:
Its been very fruitful for me…
I wish that I could find other people in my area who pray the Rosary while they walk. I think it would be an awesome evangelizing tool if people could see a daily parade of rosaries going by their homes.
Click to expand...
I’m curious. I certainly can see personal spiritual benefit, but how does it draw someone else to Christ? Do people actually come up to you to talk about what you’re doing? Certainly an interesting way of showing your faith.
 
ajaxbogs said:
I’m curious. I certainly can see personal spiritual benefit,
Click to expand...
By fruitful, I meant spiritual benefit.
but how does it draw someone else to Christ?
Click to expand...
I’m hoping that it sets an example.
Do people actually come up to you to talk about what you’re doing?
Click to expand...
That hasn;t happened to me at the gym yet. But it has happened quite often at work.
Certainly an interesting way of showing your faith.
Click to expand...
Thanks.

Picture this, picture walking into a gym and everyone is praying the Rosary, or singing hyms. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
 
De_Maria said:
By fruitful, I meant spiritual benefit.

I’m hoping that it sets an example.

That hasn;t happened to me at the gym yet. But it has happened quite often at work.

Thanks.

Picture this, picture walking into a gym and everyone is praying the Rosary, or singing hyms. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Click to expand...
Cool!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top