I don't feel like an evangelist

[psalm90]

The Vatican II council and popes since say that we’re all supposed to be involved in evangelization.

I think St. Paul says someplace that “some” are evangelists. I’m 67 and when I was 12 I was impressed that we all ARE supposed to evangelize. but, since I was 12, I’ve been “put in my place” so many times that it’s just silly.

Not only was I not trained in 12 years of Catholic School to be an evangelist, I wasn’t trained to be an apologist (although that idea is as old as the letters of St. Peter – be ready to give a defense for what you believe).

For the most part, my involvement in evangelization is to financially support people who are evangelists and apologists. sure, I hear of how people say that EWTN TV and Radio were a big part in their conversion – God works in mysterious ways.

But, I don’t think anybody has been converted because they know me or remember my example. I’ve been ridiculed for my faith more times I can remember – even ridiculed by my own fellow Catholics, for taking my faith seriously.

And, so, with the recent priest sex scandals in all the western countries, from the UK to the USA to australia, it seems the Church has dug itself into a hole that it can’t get out of, so the popes, bishops, and priests are now saying it’s up to us, the laity to evangelize – because they have lost so much credibility.

My only hope has ever been in the truth of Jesus Christ, and not in men or women. If I manage to evangelize anyone, it is IN SPITE OF the Church, so often. I just changed parishes in my town, from one financially broke parish to what I found out was another financially broke parish. It’s just discouraging.

I filled out a form to join the other parish. The secretary said “I’ll send you the paperwork” and what arrived was a monthly set of offertory envelopes. That’s all they seemed to want from me is the money.

 

[Glassjester]

But, I don’t think anybody has been converted because they know me or remember my example. I’ve been ridiculed for my faith more times I can remember – even ridiculed by my own fellow Catholics, for taking my faith seriously.

Same here.

Don’t be discouraged, though.
Jesus said that’s how it would be, right?

Anyway, you never know when or how the seeds you’ve planted might start to take root.

My only hope has ever been in the truth of Jesus Christ, and not in men or women. If I manage to evangelize anyone, it is IN SPITE OF the Church, so often. I just changed parishes in my town, from one financially broke parish to what I found out was another financially broke parish. It’s just discouraging.

Why did you decide to change parishes?

I filled out a form to join the other parish. The secretary said “I’ll send you the paperwork” and what arrived was a monthly set of offertory envelopes. That’s all they seemed to want from me is the money.

I had the same experience a few years ago.

First I was only sent the envelopes. Then I was also subscribed to and billed for The Beacon, which I never even signed up for. Nice, huh?

 

[Polycarp1]

We are all called to evangelize by Christ himself. But there are many ways of doing this. We all aren’t great orators who can deliver rousing speeches and sermons but all of us can evangelize by setting a good Christian example and then being ready with an answer when people ask us why we have so much joy and peace in our lives and what moves us to do good works.

 

[Bonnie]

Anyway, you never know when or how the seeds you’ve planted might start to take root.

That’s what my husband always told me when I would moan about not having the words to evangelize. I finally decided I agree with that.

So I just keep on doing what I’ve been doing. Talking with people when God has given me the words, praying for them when He hasn’t.

 

[jane_doe]

I have felt your presence as an ambassador of Christ, Psalm90.

 

[pianistclare]

Some are called to be doctors, catechists, students, caregivers, etc. Each stage if life, each career path can be a vehicle for evangelization. Parents do this by example. Don’t get hung up on literalism. Just be the hands and feet of Christ. Make your life a prayer. You’re over thinking this.

 

[PJM]

The Vatican II council and popes since say that we’re all supposed to be involved in evangelization.

I think St. Paul says someplace that “some” are evangelists. I’m 67 and when I was 12 I was impressed that we all ARE supposed to evangelize. but, since I was 12, I’ve been “put in my place” so many times that it’s just silly.

Not only was I not trained in 12 years of Catholic School to be an evangelist, I wasn’t trained to be an apologist (although that idea is as old as the letters of St. Peter – be ready to give a defense for what you believe).

For the most part, my involvement in evangelization is to financially support people who are evangelists and apologists. sure, I hear of how people say that EWTN TV and Radio were a big part in their conversion – God works in mysterious ways.

But, I don’t think anybody has been converted because they know me or remember my example. I’ve been ridiculed for my faith more times I can remember – even ridiculed by my own fellow Catholics, for taking my faith seriously.

And, so, with the recent priest sex scandals in all the western countries, from the UK to the USA to australia, it seems the Church has dug itself into a hole that it can’t get out of, so the popes, bishops, and priests are now saying it’s up to us, the laity to evangelize – because they have lost so much credibility.

My only hope has ever been in the truth of Jesus Christ, and not in men or women. If I manage to evangelize anyone, it is IN SPITE OF the Church, so often. I just changed parishes in my town, from one financially broke parish to what I found out was another financially broke parish. It’s just discouraging.

I filled out a form to join the other parish. The secretary said “I’ll send you the paperwork” and what arrived was a monthly set of offertory envelopes. That’s all they seemed to want from me is the money.

KEEP up your finical support

AND if you would like to learn our Catholic Faith well enough to be able to share if factually with charity; even defend it when necessary;

I’m a now 72 year old retired Catholic Catechist [teacher] with nearly 30 years of sharing out beautiful Catholic Faith experience, who developed a TOTALLY FREE OF ALL COST home study E-Mailed course 1 lesson mailed each week], that will FORM you in our beliefs.

My course is broad on topics and focused on providing the evidence of our beliefs and practices. I ALSO answer all faith related questions personally.

So If you will permot me, I can help you. Just send me a private message

God Bless you

Patrick [PJM] here on CAF

 

[wishingmary]

After rereading the old Testament and especially the great return, during prayer three words hit me as their prescription back to God “Word, Worship, Walls”. To me while listening to Our Holy Mother of Medjugorje, it meant find the example of Jesus, stay close to the sacraments especially daily Mass and to make Church first, then my house and finally build the walls around my mind from the world. Simply put, at Church, I pull up the weeds, plant flowers, find things to do to make God’s House the best on the block. I tithe a straight 10% to my poor parish. I pray with my heart. I got rid of television and radio. And I let my desire for God blossom from true dialogue remain with me. Yes I live in a bubble but one of bliss, knowing that when asked to do something, I am forever grateful for the honor of serving for I know that in serving, I have a place. There is a lot to learn from the angels, they have known the beatific vision but they wait on the Lord. Our Holy Mother tells us to be a blessing to those around us and to Our Priests. To me, they are rock stars!

 

[psalm90]

One of the problems with this idea that we supposedly are all evangelists, is that I think of all the cloistered monks, nuns, and priests. How do THEY fulfill their role of evangelizing. My lifestyle is more like theirs than anything else.

 

[1pppp]

Functioning as an evangelist is part of the 5 fold ministry. It is a leadership position. And mark 16. Signs following . but saint Paul said when u get together share a prophetic revealed. A psalm etc. 1cor 14:25 u can b prophetic. Edification comfort.exeratition.

 

[PJM]

After rereading the old Testament and especially the great return, during prayer three words hit me as their prescription back to God “Word, Worship, Walls”. To me while listening to Our Holy Mother of Medjugorje, it meant find the example of Jesus, stay close to the sacraments especially daily Mass and to make Church first, then my house and finally build the walls around my mind from the world. Simply put, at Church, I pull up the weeds, plant flowers, find things to do to make God’s House the best on the block. I tithe a straight 10% to my poor parish. I pray with my heart. I got rid of television and radio. And I let my desire for God blossom from true dialogue remain with me. Yes I live in a bubble but one of bliss, knowing that when asked to do something, I am forever grateful for the honor of serving for I know that in serving, I have a place. There is a lot to learn from the angels, they have known the beatific vision but they wait on the Lord. Our Holy Mother tells us to be a blessing to those around us and to Our Priests. To me, they are rock stars!

WELL DONE Good and Faithful servant!

GBY