How much am I obliged to evangelize, if at all?

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Hi all,

This morning while out walking, I saw some cars pulling up at the house opposite me, and a group of people also entering the house.

I know this is the weekly Jehovah’s Witness meeting at this lady’s house.

Am I obliged to try and evangelize to these people, in my street, or any others in my street, when I definitely know what religion they follow?

My next-door neighbours are Buddhist.

Am I obliged to evangelize to them too?

Is it part of the Catholic faith to spread the Word?

Or is it only meant to mean in situations when the topic of religion comes up with people that I should talk about the True Way?

In other words, how aggressive is our evangelizing supposed to be?
 
kellie said:
Hi all,

This morning while out walking, I saw some cars pulling up at the house opposite me, and a group of people also entering the house.

I know this is the weekly Jehovah’s Witness meeting at this lady’s house.

Am I obliged to try and evangelize to these people, in my street, or any others in my street, when I definitely know what religion they follow?

My next-door neighbours are Buddhist.

Am I obliged to evangelize to them too?

Is it part of the Catholic faith to spread the Word?

Or is it only meant to mean in situations when the topic of religion comes up with people that I should talk about the True Way?

In other words, how aggressive is our evangelizing supposed to be?
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Yes, we should look for opportunities to evangelize. Even with our neighbors there would be nothing wrong with simply asking in conversion, "Have you ever thought about Christianity?
 
kellie said:
Hi all,

This morning while out walking, I saw some cars pulling up at the house opposite me, and a group of people also entering the house.

I know this is the weekly Jehovah’s Witness meeting at this lady’s house.

Am I obliged to try and evangelize to these people, in my street, or any others in my street, when I definitely know what religion they follow?

My next-door neighbours are Buddhist.

Am I obliged to evangelize to them too?

Is it part of the Catholic faith to spread the Word?

Or is it only meant to mean in situations when the topic of religion comes up with people that I should talk about the True Way?

In other words, how aggressive is our evangelizing supposed to be?
Click to expand...
That is an important question and for many a tough one. We all are called to evangelize. However, as Eccles. says there is a time for all things. I would suggest that you get to know your neighbors on a friendship level first. Otherwise, you risk seeming like a pushy Catholic whose intent is to disrupt and invade their personal space during their time of study. If they feel this way, what chance have you of having a civil and intelligent dialog with them concerning Catholicism? Once you have developed a relationship with them, do not beat them over the head with Church dogma and teachings. Simply answer questions as they come up (and they will come up). When they express a view on a subject that is different from Catholicism, charitably contribute the Catholic position on the matter and be ready to back up that position with the Bible and with common sense. If the subject starts to become heated, back away (not to be confused with running away) and let the Holy Spirit speak to them over time and internally on the subject. All we can do is plant the seed. The rest is between God and the individual.
 
kellie said:
Hi all,

This morning while out walking, I saw some cars pulling up at the house opposite me, and a group of people also entering the house.

I know this is the weekly Jehovah’s Witness meeting at this lady’s house.

Am I obliged to try and evangelize to these people, in my street, or any others in my street, when I definitely know what religion they follow?

My next-door neighbours are Buddhist.

Am I obliged to evangelize to them too?

Is it part of the Catholic faith to spread the Word?

Or is it only meant to mean in situations when the topic of religion comes up with people that I should talk about the True Way?

In other words, how aggressive is our evangelizing supposed to be?
Click to expand...
**Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary. **

St. Francis of Assisi
 
kellie said:
Hi all,

This morning while out walking, I saw some cars pulling up at the house opposite me, and a group of people also entering the house. I know this is the weekly Jehovah’s Witness meeting at this lady’s house. Am I obliged to try and evangelize to these people, in my street, or any others in my street, when I definitely know what religion they follow? My next-door neighbours are Buddhist. Am I obliged to evangelize to them too?

Is it part of the Catholic faith to spread the Word? Or is it only meant to mean in situations when the topic of religion comes up with people that I should talk about the True Way? In other words, how aggressive is our evangelizing supposed to be?
Click to expand...
Kellie: Over 30 years ago, Pope Paul VI said “Evangelization is the essential mission of the Church”. He called all the laity to holiness and to responsibility for the mission of the Church when he said, “The obligation of spreading the faith is imposed on every disciple of Christ, according to their ability”…and he went on to say, *“Moreover, through their Baptism and Confirmation, all are commissioned to that apostolate by the Lord Himself.” * (LUMEN GENTIUM, #17)

In 1980 Pope John Paul II said “The Lord and Master of History and of our destinies, has wished my pontificate to be that of a pilgrim pope of evangelization, walking down the roads of the world bringing to all peoples the message of salvation.” Throughout his pontificate Pope John Paul II “urged, pleaded, challenged and invited us to a new evangelization, new in expression, new in fervor and new in methods”.

So evangelization in the Catholic Church is not new and had been an “ESSENTIAL MISSION OF THE CHURCH”, for all baptised believers for the past 30 or so years.

But pay attention to what Paul VI said, “The obligation of spreading the faith is imposed on every disciple of Christ, according to their ability…”, and not all of us have the same ability. But each of us has a faith story to tell about our relationship with Jesus and His Church, and should never be bashful about first of all showing that by living our faith where we are planted, and then preparing ourselves to improve our ability to tell others about Him. When you use words to tell others about Jesus, remember what you do, the life you lead, speaks so loudly, they won’t hear your words unless they are in agreement with your example. Go and tell the “Good News”.

Peace
 
Thank you all for your replies.

I am now going to type up a flyer with some Scripture and Catholic teachings on it, and add some pretty headings and clip art, and maybe go door-to-door or leave them at all my local bus stops.

I am going to use my gift of being creative with clip art and stuff to evangelize.

If I plant at least one seed it will be worth it.
 
My parish is having a speaker come in to talk about evangelization (how laymen should do it) on 12 February. I am going to the meeting and will post my comments after I hear what the speaker suggests.
 
I followed some Jehovah’s Witnesses into my neighbors house and gave my neighbor a show by discussing religion in front of them. Later on they thanked me for defending the faith for them.

We are required to evangelize or risk allowing others to go to hell because we were to wimpy to share the faith. Now we are not required to alienate people so some prudence is necessary, we shouldn’t evangelize just to feel good and beat up people, but to lead people to God. So standing in front of the grocery store yelling at people just makes you look like a jerk on the other hand, lovingly sharing the beauty of the Catholic faith is our duty.

In Christ
Scylla
 
There once were three men to whom some talents were entrusted by their master. To the first was given 3 to the second 2 and to the last 1.

The first two went away and made a 100% return on their masters talents. The one who received 3 returned 6. The one who received 2 returned 4. the master said to them "Well done good and faithful servants. You have shown me that you can be trusted with small things so I will trust you with greater things. Come and enter you masters happiness.

The chap who was given 1 talent, went and buired it for fear of misusing it or losing it. He did this as he feared the master.

He too went to the master and returned the one talent that had been entrusted to him.

The master was not pleased.

I think you get the jist of the story??
 
kellie said:
Thank you all for your replies.

I am now going to type up a flyer with some Scripture and Catholic teachings on it, and add some pretty headings and clip art, and maybe go door-to-door or leave them at all my local bus stops.

I am going to use my gift of being creative with clip art and stuff to evangelize.

If I plant at least one seed it will be worth it.
Click to expand...
I’ve done a lot of that kind of evangelization. Its good 4 those of us who are cowards about confronting people. But i DO confront people directly when the need arises. I usually get persecuted… which makes me want 2 go back 2 just flyers (etc) but Jesus promised that we would be “hated as [he was hated]”… I try not to take the persecution personally, but i am a human being… Even so, i tell myself that Catholicism won’t spread if we Catholics don’t evangelize. I wasn’t even taught the full Catholic faith as a child. I had to learn it on my own several years ago…
I left my purse at the library the other day, around closing time & when i called the next day, no one had it or had seen it. I went bezerk… even got angry at God for not reminding me 2 grab my purse b4 leaving… But after my child-like tantrum, i decided it would b best just 2 accept the situation (as if i had a choice). I gave the problem 2 St. Jude, asked him 2 please speak 2 the person who had my purse, tell “him” 2 return it. Then i tried 2 think of other things… The next day, i checked back & the purse was there, nothing missing.
When you leave valuable things like this in a public place, u begin to fervently desire that the whole world be devout Catholic (i.e: not inclined 2 steal)!!
 
Originally Posted by estesbob
Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.

St. Francis of Assisi

To me the key words are underlined. Reason is that Jesus tells us two keys we need
1.Jesus asked the diciples why speak words when the people are hungry, so why not find out what people eat and offer to share (natural).
2 We cannot speak about Jesus if we are not conversant with the word of God from the bible.
Our catechism is for our own edification and learning and with this knowledge we use the bible to share, possibly leaving a bible with the person.

But helping and or giving of clothing, many haven’t got enough. Or food or as I do paintiing the house or gardening this brings about a chat time because they ask why I would do this. Have mowed lawns washed cars…anything to gain their curiosity. A goody is interest in their culture or where they are from.

Heaps eh?

God bless
littleone
 
Dacinom said:
Please I am not trying to be discouraging here but (in my opinion this is not a good approach). First, are you prepared should someone be in their home and answer their door with questions for you when you are leaving the literature? Maybe you are an educated apologist and know much of the faith? Remember, if someone asks you questions “out of the blue” in a social situation about the Church, you can always say you don’t know the answer…however if someone asks you a difficult question about the Church when you are at their door with a flyer and you don’t know the answer…that will potentially look bad for the Church and perhaps for you. Of course I have no idea of your knowledge…I am just placing myself and most people I know in that position and us “Average-Joe-Catholics” and we would probably not be prepared…going door-to-door you really have to be on your toes!

I would encourage you to join an already established evangelization movement. I am sure they would love to add your talents to the group. You could contact a local parish and see if you could volunteer for the new parishioner welcoming committee? Granted, these are people that are already Catholic but I think many Catholics could really benefit from some evangelization!

Lastly, if there is no group in your area you can always evangelize THROUGH other people. I do not have the gift of much faith knowledge, but the people at Relevant Radio, Catholic Radio and EWTN television do. By contributing to these organizations we are evangelizing!

Hope this helps and please do not take my opinions as a criticism of your faith or intentions. I am sure the flyers you make would be lovely and wonderful and I sure hope you can plant a seed. You asked for opinions so I thought I would offer mine. You sound like a great person with talents, best wishes to you in whatever you decide to do.
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distracted:
i don’t mean to be critical, but i can’t help but disagree about it not looking good if she doesn’t have an answer about something (while passing out flyers). I feel flyers are a very good idea. And if she says she doesn’t know, in answer 2 someone’s question, its not a big deal because she can have the person asking it go to a priest or some other source of info… I’ve taken college courses and once in awhile, an instructor doesn’t know something. I don’t think any less of him/her for tht because i know no human being knows everything about any particular topic…
Just some thoughts… God bless…
 
so out of curiosity, for those of you that do evangelize when the opportunity presents itself… what in the world do you do or say to the people that LOVE to hound the daylights out of you for your belief in the Church, but the second you start to try to talk to them about what the Church believes, or why we believe what we believe, etc… just simple stuff to correct their misconceptions, and you’re NO WHERE being mean, nasty or condescending… what do you say to them when as soon as you start to defend yourself and the Church, they start in with “Well, you have to respect my belief in that I just don’t believe that c**p.” or “Not everyone believes like you.” And they say it in a manner like it’s a sudden news bulletin and you’re supposed to thank them for it.

I’ve got a friend that seriously gets very angry with me every stinkin’ time we discuss abortion and/or contraceptions. I can’t seem to get her to get PASSED the political and social arguments and get to the theological arguments (about respecting human life and the human body). But once we start talking about the theology of it… right back to the political conundrum of “you can’t legislate morality or you can’t force your views onto someone else.” because her bone of contention and there is no further discussion.

I do evangelize using how I live but when she’s always telling me of “When my DD turns 16, I’m putting her on the pill.” so I give her info on the harmful effects of the pill and I don’t get even a neutral “Gee thanks” and she puts it down… I get a “I don’t believe in your religion so this is just junk.” She tells me that abortion is a woman’s choice and should always be a right and I ask her “Well, what about the baby’s choice and right to life?” and she tells me “Not everyone believes like you.” (uh, DUH)

I’m frustrated (in case you can’t tell) and I’d really love to learn how to deal with people like this. I pray about it all the time but in the mean time, I’m coming across more and more like them! And it’s not that my arguments are faulty… it’s the fact that they all come back to “Not everyone believes the same thing you do.”
 
I’ve been in the Legion of Mary for two months now and I’ve learned quite a lot about evangelization and how it should be tackled.

Maybe some points about this (from insights of the Legion and my own personal ones):
  1. Every baptized Christian is called to evangelize.
  2. Every attempt at evangelization should be supported and nourished by prayer (from oneself and others).
  3. Conversely, prayer, though very important, is not sufficient for evangelization, but has to result in specific acts. God uses “our hands and mouths” to reach others!
  4. You should evangelize whenever the opportunity presents itself. However, if you embark upon a specific mission (handing out leaflets, inviting people to Mass etc.), it is better to work in twos (and to have a background of some group, parish etc.).
  5. Our basic means of evangelization is witness (martyria). Witness to your Christian calling by doing good deeds and being charitable. Witness to your faith by talking about the significance of Christ in your life. Witness to the Church by talking about liturgy and practices and what they mean to you.
  6. Always listen to what the other is saying, try to answer his/her questions and concerns specifically and sensitively. Do not “Bible thump”. (The spiritual director of our Legion praesidium actually said that the difference between Catholic evangelism and the Jehova’s Witnesses method was that the Witnesses never listened…!)
  7. Never give up and never relent. Never think that someone is beyond all hope. You don’t know how God works.
  8. On the other hand, don’t overwhelm people, don’t “rape” them. It’s God who converts hearts, not you. You are only the instrument for it. But you don’t know how God works with you. A little act of charity, one thoughtful sentence may contribute more to “bringing the walls of Jericho stumbling down” than an “overload” which may only alienate the person evangelized.
  9. Always be loving, nice and charitable. Never become sarcastic or aggressive, never bullying, even though the other person might become aggressive. Stay calm and pray for them afterwards. At least they are not indifferent.
  10. Always try to take steps, even if they seem insignificant - like inviting your Buddhist neighbor to a barbecue party for example. Everything can be a channel of God’s grace.
 
tamccrackine said:
so out of curiosity, for those of you that do evangelize when the opportunity presents itself… what in the world do you do or say to the people that LOVE to hound the daylights out of you for your belief in the Church, but the second you start to try to talk to them about what the Church believes, or why we believe what we believe, etc… just simple stuff to correct their misconceptions, and you’re NO WHERE being mean, nasty or condescending… what do you say to them when as soon as you start to defend yourself and the Church, they start in with “Well, you have to respect my belief in that I just don’t believe that c**p.” or “Not everyone believes like you.” And they say it in a manner like it’s a sudden news bulletin and you’re supposed to thank them for it.

I’ve got a friend that seriously gets very angry with me every stinkin’ time we discuss abortion and/or contraceptions. I can’t seem to get her to get PASSED the political and social arguments and get to the theological arguments (about respecting human life and the human body). But once we start talking about the theology of it… right back to the political conundrum of “you can’t legislate morality or you can’t force your views onto someone else.” because her bone of contention and there is no further discussion.

I do evangelize using how I live but when she’s always telling me of “When my DD turns 16, I’m putting her on the pill.” so I give her info on the harmful effects of the pill and I don’t get even a neutral “Gee thanks” and she puts it down… I get a “I don’t believe in your religion so this is just junk.” She tells me that abortion is a woman’s choice and should always be a right and I ask her “Well, what about the baby’s choice and right to life?” and she tells me “Not everyone believes like you.” (uh, DUH)

I’m frustrated (in case you can’t tell) and I’d really love to learn how to deal with people like this. I pray about it all the time but in the mean time, I’m coming across more and more like them! And it’s not that my arguments are faulty… it’s the fact that they all come back to “Not everyone believes the same thing you do.”
Click to expand...
 
tamccrackine said:
so out of curiosity, for those of you that do evangelize when the opportunity presents itself… what in the world do you do or say to the people that LOVE to hound the daylights out of you for your belief in the Church, but the second you start to try to talk to them about what the Church believes, or why we believe what we believe, etc… just simple stuff to correct their misconceptions, and you’re NO WHERE being mean, nasty or condescending… what do you say to them when as soon as you start to defend yourself and the Church, they start in with “Well, you have to respect my belief in that I just don’t believe that c**p.” or “Not everyone believes like you.” And they say it in a manner like it’s a sudden news bulletin and you’re supposed to thank them for it.

I’ve got a friend that seriously gets very angry with me every stinkin’ time we discuss abortion and/or contraceptions. I can’t seem to get her to get PASSED the political and social arguments and get to the theological arguments (about respecting human life and the human body). But once we start talking about the theology of it… right back to the political conundrum of “you can’t legislate morality or you can’t force your views onto someone else.” because her bone of contention and there is no further discussion.

I do evangelize using how I live but when she’s always telling me of “When my DD turns 16, I’m putting her on the pill.” so I give her info on the harmful effects of the pill and I don’t get even a neutral “Gee thanks” and she puts it down… I get a “I don’t believe in your religion so this is just junk.” She tells me that abortion is a woman’s choice and should always be a right and I ask her “Well, what about the baby’s choice and right to life?” and she tells me “Not everyone believes like you.” (uh, DUH)

I’m frustrated (in case you can’t tell) and I’d really love to learn how to deal with people like this. I pray about it all the time but in the mean time, I’m coming across more and more like them! And it’s not that my arguments are faulty… it’s the fact that they all come back to “Not everyone believes the same thing you do.”
Click to expand...
I saw a greeat bumper sticker the other day: “So what part of ‘Thou shalt not commit murder’ do you not understand?” The bottom line about abortion is that it takes the life of an innocent child (i know - a big duh 2 Catholics), a child who is (another big duh) created in God’s image. If you don’t want to raise a child, you don’t have to (adoption). Another duh. Hello, America: NO right supercedes the right to life (which is in the Constitution, the very first right listed if i recall correctly… ).
I feel it is best not to engage in arguments with people like this. The argument itself becomes the important thing… just a battle each of you must win… i would just pray the rosary over her… and if it were me, i would distance myself from people like this… Scripture tells us not to be unequally yoked w/ unbelievers… I wanted 2 say more on all this but have run out of time…
I don’t know how u can stand 2b around people who are listening to the devil (yeah, i know, we all do that at times… but abortion is about the biggest way 2 listen to him, if you ask me…). Anyway, God bless. I will pray for you.
 
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