Pope Ups the ante on individual involvement in Evangelizing

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psalm90

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Didn’t he just say that we’re supposed get up off our couches and go out there and evangelize (threw something in there about moths)?

All of a sudden, this is an essential part of our Christian calling. I knew this when I was 11 years old, but there was no talk about that 50 years ago.

I was an altar boy, and I often wondered, if salvation came down to my parish church, which people would go out to Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, etc. ? IOW, could the world be saved through my parish as a starting point.

I didn’t see that happening, it was too far-fetched; now the Pope is making me feel guilty (I was told I was not suitable for being a priest or deacon, when I brought that up, a half-dozen time). So, now I was wrong all these years?

When I listen to expert scripture scholars and apologists on EWTN radio, I don’t think I could last 10 minutes trying to proselytize people for the faith. I just don’t know enough.
 
psalm90 said:
Didn’t he just say that we’re supposed get up off our couches and go out there and evangelize (threw something in there about moths)?

All of a sudden, this is an essential part of our Christian calling. I knew this when I was 11 years old, but there was no talk about that 50 years ago.

I was an altar boy, and I often wondered, if salvation came down to my parish church, which people would go out to Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, etc. ? IOW, could the world be saved through my parish as a starting point.

I didn’t see that happening, it was too far-fetched; now the Pope is making me feel guilty (I was told I was not suitable for being a priest or deacon, when I brought that up, a half-dozen time). So, now I was wrong all these years?

When I listen to expert scripture scholars and apologists on EWTN radio, I don’t think I could last 10 minutes trying to proselytize people for the faith. I just don’t know enough.
Click to expand...
it’s always been the church’s mission, it’s a shame people didn’t say so

you’re not supposed to proselytize, you’re supposed to share the faith. and no, it’s not the same thing. start with your friends and family, your community. not everyone has to go be a missionary in a foreign land

it’s not about how much you know, it’s about helping people to find God. Until they absolutely fall in love with Jesus, many people will just see Catholicism as a bunch of rules, they don’t understand why the church teaches what it does. when a person truly loves the lord, then it becomes unthinkable to do anything that would hurt him and most of the time hurt ourselves too
 
Be a catechist- just dealing with kids will improve your evangelization skills.
 
PluniaZ said:
This makes me unsettled. I don’t know how to evangelize.
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It isn’t easy if one isn’t naturally outgoing. I’m not. I’ve always been attracted to St. Francis de Sales, because he was known for his kindness and willingness to put up with abuse for the sake of loving people back to the Church. He enticed a lot of Calvinists in his area back to the Church through sheer force of charity and sacrifice. I only just learned that he was the baby of the family, like me, and naturally very quiet and retiring, like me. He said he had to learn to break out of his shell, to let the Spirit breathe.

One can start small. I met one of my neighbors (my age) because she was super friendly and went out of her way to say hello to people and learn names. She was on a friendly basis with just about everyone in the neighborhood, and knew their names. Her children’s names were biblically inspired, but she only said that when I inquired their namesakes’ inspiration. I carved my Halloween pumpkins with a chi-ro and alpha/omega. She inquired about that, so I said they’re ancient Christian symbols. One thing led to another, and it turns out we’re both Catholic and know the same people. She is a convert to Catholocism.

I observed her around others. She never awkwardly injected her faith into the conversation, but if it came up, she was straightforward and unapologetic, without being a turn-off. Sometimes she might plant statements to inspire inquiry, but it was always mete to the conversation.

She really inspired me, especially when I confided in her that she seemed so unafraid. She smiled and said she gets anxious and wobbly-kneed. I felt much better, because I do too. She invited the Mormons into her home. Maybe my invitation of the Jehovah’s Witnesses into our home inspired her.

If nothing else, pray for guidance. So far, I have found the easiest way is to try to be friendly, or throw out subtle messages (like cultish looking Halloween pumpkins ;)) that inspire intrigue. And don’t be surprised if you’re nervous.
 
psalm90 said:
Didn’t he just say that we’re supposed get up off our couches and go out there and evangelize (threw something in there about moths)?

All of a sudden, this is an essential part of our Christian calling. I knew this when I was 11 years old, but there was no talk about that 50 years ago.

I was an altar boy, and I often wondered, if salvation came down to my parish church, which people would go out to Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, etc. ? IOW, could the world be saved through my parish as a starting point.

I didn’t see that happening, it was too far-fetched; now the Pope is making me feel guilty (I was told I was not suitable for being a priest or deacon, when I brought that up, a half-dozen time). So, now I was wrong all these years?

When I listen to expert scripture scholars and apologists on EWTN radio, I don’t think I could last 10 minutes trying to proselytize people for the faith. I just don’t know enough.
Click to expand...
My dear friend in Christ,

As a FYI, it has always been the position of the RCC that each and everyone of us is called to “GO”! and share our faith:)

However we are to do that in the manner that the Holy Spirit presents to US, the opportunities to do so:

1st Cor. 12: 4-14
" Now there are diversities of graces, but the same Spirit; And there are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord;

And there are diversities of operations, but the same God, who worketh all in all. And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man unto profit. To one indeed, by the Spirit, is given the word of wisdom: and to another, the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; To another, faith in the same spirit; to another, the grace of healing in one Spirit; To another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, diverse kinds of tongues; to another, interpretation of speeches.

But all these things one and the same Spirit worketh, dividing to every one according as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members; and all the members of the body, whereas they are many, yet are one body, so also is Christ. For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free; and in one Spirit we have all been made to drink. For the body also is not one member, but many"

This passage wisely points out that while EACH of is to be ACTIVE in sharing out Catholic Faith; not all of us are CALLED to do it in precisely the same manner:)

1 Tim. 1: 6-8 “From which things some going astray, are turned aside unto vain babbling: Desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither the things they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully”

1 Cor, 12: 26-31 "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. **Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? **

The ways of evangelazation are many; dependent on the Gifts and talents that the HS has assigned [granted] to each of us

It has been said: Cf. "That the ONLY bible many people will read; will be HOW WE live our lives as living witness’s to and FOR Christ [publicly]

It has also been said that Sharing OUR faith begins at home"

FROM our Catechism
:
“2223 Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule. The home is well suited for education in the virtues. This requires an apprenticeship in self-denial, sound judgment, and self-mastery - the preconditions of all true freedom. Parents should teach their children to subordinate the “material and instinctual dimensions to interior and spiritual ones.” Parents have a grave responsibility to give good example to their children. By knowing how to acknowledge their own failings to their children, parents will be better able to guide and correct them”

PRAY dear friend daily for how the HS desires to you YOU & the telents He has granted to YOU:thumbsup:

GBY

Patrick
 
To the op: evangelization has long been a concern for you. Don’t be afraid and don’t feel like you gotta know all the answers. Think of the woman at the well. She knew little about theology or apologetics. Her message was simple, “come and see.” Prayerfully ask God to give you opportunities and prepare your mind and heart to share the gospel. You can plant, you can water, only God gives the increase.

In my experience, I have been promoting Christ according to the knowledge I have so far for about 30 years since childhood. Sometimes I was scared. Sometimes I didn’t know what to say. Sometimes people were angry. Once I was threatened with violence. For five weeks I witnessed in secret in a communist country where I might have been arrested. However, Jesus despised the shame of the cross for the joy of the prize–the world he redeemed. Why not share in our Lord’s joy and mission to seek and save the lost. We do the best we can and depend on him. Yes study, yes pray, yes go. The one who walks with Christ in spreading the gospel finds fellowship with Jesus.
 
Anybody that is thinking of giving telling others about Jesus consider this. “The word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword cutting both joints and narrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart and no creature is hidden from His sight but all things are naked and open to the eyes of with whom we have to do.”

When you tell people about Jesus, calling them to repentance, they don’t always like it. You can’t think that if you were more knowledgeable or more suave people would respond better. Just speak the word of God in love and let the chips fall where they may. Some people reject God. Some repent. Some want to do you harm. “This is the condemnation that has come into the world that men loves darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.”

1 Corinthians 22 DRA
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not in loftiness of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of Christ.
2 For I judged not myself to know anything among you, but Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not in the persuasive words of human wisdom, but in shewing of the Spirit and power;
5 That your faith might not stand on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
 
PJM said:
My dear friend in Christ,

As a FYI, it has always been the position of the RCC that each and everyone of us is called to “GO”! and share our faith:)

However we are to do that in the manner that the Holy Spirit presents to US, the opportunities to do so:

1st Cor. 12: 4-14
" Now there are diversities of graces, but the same Spirit; And there are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord;

And there are diversities of operations, but the same God, who worketh all in all. And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man unto profit. To one indeed, by the Spirit, is given the word of wisdom: and to another, the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; To another, faith in the same spirit; to another, the grace of healing in one Spirit; To another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, diverse kinds of tongues; to another, interpretation of speeches.

But all these things one and the same Spirit worketh, dividing to every one according as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members; and all the members of the body, whereas they are many, yet are one body, so also is Christ. For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free; and in one Spirit we have all been made to drink. For the body also is not one member, but many"

This passage wisely points out that while EACH of is to be ACTIVE in sharing out Catholic Faith; not all of us are CALLED to do it in precisely the same manner:)

1 Tim. 1: 6-8 “From which things some going astray, are turned aside unto vain babbling: Desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither the things they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully”

1 Cor, 12: 26-31 "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

The ways of evangelazation are many; dependent on the Gifts and talents that the HS has assigned [granted] to each of us

It has been said: Cf. "That the ONLY bible many people will read; will be HOW WE live our lives as living witness’s to and FOR Christ [publicly]

It has also been said that Sharing OUR faith begins at home"

FROM our Catechism
:
“2223 Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule. The home is well suited for education in the virtues. This requires an apprenticeship in self-denial, sound judgment, and self-mastery - the preconditions of all true freedom. Parents should teach their children to subordinate the “material and instinctual dimensions to interior and spiritual ones.” Parents have a grave responsibility to give good example to their children. By knowing how to acknowledge their own failings to their children, parents will be better able to guide and correct them”

PRAY dear friend daily for how the HS desires to you YOU & the telents He has granted to YOU:thumbsup:

GBY

Patrick
Click to expand...
:amen::amen::amen:
 
It is the Church (e.g parish) that should evangelise; therefore pray to God intensively that there will be co-workers for you, and suitable guidance and direction.

One way it might happen might be that people will pray for your efforts in Gospel spreading; or you might pray for theirs; or you might accompany a person with a clearer and firmer idea of what to do than yourself; or you might be the one with the firmer and clearer idea and a person might want to accompany you.

Parish or diocesan members might suddenly want to train up formally or informally and learn more about Holy Spirit gifts.

A threesome is a relaxing way of keeping people company. It can even be done in coffee shops. The Church needs to rediscover making room for the Other Other!

When the Church as a whole fills the vacuum that yawned after the suppression of “Easter People”, high-demand movements are less likely to step in and monopolise!
 
Vic_Taltrees_UK said:
It is the Church (e.g parish) that should evangelise; therefore pray to God intensively that there will be co-workers for you, and suitable guidance and direction.

One way it might happen might be that people will pray for your efforts in Gospel spreading; or you might pray for theirs; or you might accompany a person with a clearer and firmer idea of what to do than yourself; or you might be the one with the firmer and clearer idea and a person might want to accompany you.

Parish or diocesan members might suddenly want to train up formally or informally and learn more about Holy Spirit gifts.

A threesome is a relaxing way of keeping people company. It can even be done in coffee shops. The Church needs to rediscover making room for the Other Other!

When the Church as a whole fills the vacuum that yawned after the suppression of “Easter People”, high-demand movements are less likely to step in and monopolise!
Click to expand...
Friend, are you intimating that there CAN be more than just One True Church & Faith:shrug:

GBY
 
psalm90 said:
Didn’t he just say that we’re supposed get up off our couches and go out there and evangelize (threw something in there about moths)?

All of a sudden, this is an essential part of our Christian calling. I knew this when I was 11 years old, but there was no talk about that 50 years ago.

I was an altar boy, and I often wondered, if salvation came down to my parish church, which people would go out to Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, etc. ? IOW, could the world be saved through my parish as a starting point.

I didn’t see that happening, it was too far-fetched; now the Pope is making me feel guilty (I was told I was not suitable for being a priest or deacon, when I brought that up, a half-dozen time). So, now I was wrong all these years?

When I listen to expert scripture scholars and apologists on EWTN radio, I don’t think I could last 10 minutes trying to proselytize people for the faith. I just don’t know enough.
Click to expand...
If using this forum with helpful information and putting something in your signature line (like I have) is too hard, get creative?
 
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