Why are Catholics afraid to evangelize?

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Seriously.

The churches in my area only do one action and that is pray for converts. But Jesus did more than “just pray”, the apostles did more than “just pray” ditto for St. Patrick and the Jesuits.

There are days I just want to scream at everyone. An any public display of pity is frowned on and looked at as being like the Pharisees. Such as my habit of praying the Rosary when I’m waiting for my take out order to be ready.

I’ve been told I need to keep it in my pocket so no one can see it. I wanna shout back “Coward I REFUSE to be ashamed of my faith!”

I mean the Holy Spirit has even lead a few people to chat with me while doing this. Never anything major, but at least I got a few people to understand yes Catholics do indeed believe in Jesus Christ an view him as our Lord and Master…

But sticking to my topic. What is with this unwillingness to transform our prayers into action…
 
I believe you mean public acts of piety rather than pity.

If anyone asks you to put your Rosary back in your pocket then just calmly but firmly say ‘no, I have every right to pray in public’ and continue - praying for the person who objects.

Don’t give in to the temptation to scream or be nasty - that will tend to confirm the idea that your piety is not soul-deep. But do stand up for yourself in a positive way.

For myself I don’t use a Rosary in public, though I used to. I do, however, wear two medals and wristbands promoting World Youth Day, which have gotten a bit of notice … not in a negative way though.

I don’t think one necessarily has to be on the street corner with a megaphone to be evangelising. Little things like sticking to meatless Fridays even when socialising, or stopping at the one glass of wine or beer and saying ‘I’ve had enough thanks’ can bring your faith into the open in a way that draws people to it.
 
Seriously.

The churches in my area only do one action and that is pray for converts. But Jesus did more than “just pray”, the apostles did more than “just pray” ditto for St. Patrick and the Jesuits.

There are days I just want to scream at everyone. An any public display of piety is frowned on and looked at as being like the Pharisees. Such as my habit of praying the Rosary when I’m waiting for my take out order to be ready.

I’ve been told I need to keep it in my pocket so no one can see it. I wanna shout back “Coward I REFUSE to be ashamed of my faith!”

I mean the Holy Spirit has even lead a few people to chat with me while doing this. Never anything major, but at least I got a few people to understand yes Catholics do indeed believe in Jesus Christ an view him as our Lord and Master…

But sticking to my topic. What is with this unwillingness to transform our prayers into action…
Which do we think takes more courage, to pray the rosary in public, or actually paying attention to what others say while waiting, for opportunities that may lead to mentioning God, our sins, Jesus, repentance?

Mt 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.”

Mt 10:32-33 “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.”

Mt 12:50 “For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

2 Tim 3:16-17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

I agree with you, we need to do more than pray. Are we teaching the Gospel with our words and actions?

Michael
 
So are you saying my public rosary praying is sinful and will result in hellfire for me?
 
So are you saying my public rosary praying is sinful and will result in hellfire for me?
Where did that come from? I said “I agree with you, we need to do more than pray. Are we teaching the Gospel with our words and actions?”

Prayer is important, and so is speaking the gospel "Mt 10:32-33 “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.”

What good is it if we only pray, and don’t speak what we believe to others? Wasn’t that your point?

Michael
 
Ready for my opinion?

Some Catholics won’t cross themselves in public because then someone might ask them “Why do you do that?” and the Catholic can not explain to them why.

Some Catholics will not correct non-Catholics about any misconceptions about their Faith. Because the Catholic does not know himself.

Ask a family member who you know is Catholic
“Why do you do that?”

And I bet they won’t be able to explain.

I have learned that our own families need to be educated in our Faith.

I will teach anyone anywhere
why do Catholics dip their fingers in Holy Water,
why do Catholics go to Confession.

and my favorite this week

an 8th grader ( I now teach Youth Group as well as CCD)

Asked me “Why do we eat Jesus on Sunday?”
When the class giggled she took it back.
“I mean why do we eat the bread and wine?”

The reason sometimes is that Catholics who are just people do not want to be laughed at or made fun of. They don’t have the answers they need. And they might not know where to get them.

Don’t worry I explained it to those 8th graders that she had it right the first time!👍
 
Ready for my opinion?

Some Catholics won’t cross themselves in public because then someone might ask them “Why do you do that?” and the Catholic can not explain to them why.
Ouch, there’s a cold truth.

I’ve been guilty as charged on that one.
 
Yeah, I know I have been there.
Code:
              I had to ask myself why I don't cross myself.

                        It wasn't that I was ashamed of my Faith.

                                               Just a simple answer of 

                                   I don't know why we Catholics do that.

                                               The Answer?

                   Because I love God with all my mind  

                                 And all my heart

                              and all my strength.
 
There is more to evangelizing than buttonholing people and demanding a quick evangelical decision for Jesus RIGHT NOW!
 
I was one. Until I was prayed over for the release of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There is no looking, or going, back. I find myself called to minister to those around me wherever I go. I have taken to wearing “provocative” Catholic T-Shirts from www.totally-catholic.com. I just don’t care what others think. We don’t answer to those around us, and our lives are not our own. We answer to the owner of our lives, who may require them of us today. Once you surrender to the Holy Spirit, it all becomes easy. Oh, there’s still rejection and the crude jokes, but God knows your heart. The sleep is better once you keep up your end of the deal.

Christ’s peace to all.
 
I should say one of the answers.

The other answer to why do we cross ourselves is…

we trace a cross upon ourselves as a blessing and reminder of Jesus and how much He loved us.

The other answer is…

it is like a little exorcism. To help ward off the evil spirits.

And still one more answer…

The early Christians traced a cross upon themselves to tell eachother they were Christain. Remember it was illegal to be a Christian.
 
I was one. Until I was prayed over for the release of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There is no looking, or going, back. I find myself called to minister to those around me wherever I go. I have taken to wearing “provocative” Catholic T-Shirts from www.totally-catholic.com. I just don’t care what others think. We don’t answer to those around us, and our lives are not our own. We answer to the owner of our lives, who may require them of us today. Once you surrender to the Holy Spirit, it all becomes easy. Oh, there’s still rejection and the crude jokes, but God knows your heart. The sleep is better once you keep up your end of the deal.

Christ’s peace to all.
Act now, and we’ll include free shipping on orders of 35 dollars or more!
 
True Catholics are never afraid to evangelize! They are in fact evangelizing, not necessarily with your knowledge of course.
 
Ouch, there’s a cold truth.

I’ve been guilty as charged on that one.
We all have.

Question is do we get defensive or “hide”, or respond to grow deeper in faith, to learn our faith, and share our faith :not only in thought, also in word and behavior?

Was thinking about Mt 19 yesterday, in regards to how many Catholics are divorced and remarrying. In some or many circumstances that reflects a “cold truth” to how we live our faith, and others see that as a witness to our faith, especially when we decline to vocalize our faith.

Thankfully God is merciful, yet we shouldn’t act in a way that takes advantage of that mercy.

God bless,

Michael
 
There is more to evangelizing than buttonholing people and demanding a quick evangelical decision for Jesus RIGHT NOW!
Very true, all in God’s timing. “Buttonholing” and “demanding” have no role in evangelizing.

Prayer is powerful, yet is not an excuse for silence when there is an opportunity to encourage someone vocally. They are not exclusive. In my opinion the phrase “if necessary use words”, the way it is often applied, does more harm than good. If our actions do not reflect our Christian faith, our words will ring empty. If our actions reflect our Christian faith, our words will often be seen to carry some weight of truth. If our actions reflect our Christian faith, why would we silence our words if they reflect our faith as well? Are we quicker to talk about our favorite sports team, than about our faith? Why not just where our favority team’s jersy, and not say anything if we otherwise apply the phrase “if necessary use words”?

God bless,

Michael
 
I was one. Until I was prayed over for the release of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There is no looking, or going, back. I find myself called to minister to those around me wherever I go. I have taken to wearing “provocative” Catholic T-Shirts from www.totally-catholic.com. I just don’t care what others think. We don’t answer to those around us, and our lives are not our own. We answer to the owner of our lives, who may require them of us today. Once you surrender to the Holy Spirit, it all becomes easy. Oh, there’s still rejection and the crude jokes, but God knows your heart. The sleep is better once you keep up your end of the deal.

Christ’s peace to all.
Excellent post! Thank you.
 
I was one. Until I was prayed over for the release of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There is no looking, or going, back. I find myself called to minister to those around me wherever I go. I have taken to wearing “provocative” Catholic T-Shirts from www.totally-catholic.com. I just don’t care what others think. We don’t answer to those around us, and our lives are not our own. We answer to the owner of our lives, who may require them of us today. Once you surrender to the Holy Spirit, it all becomes easy. Oh, there’s still rejection and the crude jokes, but God knows your heart. The sleep is better once you keep up your end of the deal.

Christ’s peace to all.
You should try www.romanticcatholic.com too. Their shirts are awesome.
 
Act now, and we’ll include free shipping on orders of 35 dollars or more!
Yea, the old will give you a “free” gift or free shipping if you spend or donate enough money. When I give, I don’t want something for it, if I need to be enticed, am I more interested in getting something than I am interested in being supportive? If I buy something, I want to pay fair value, not pay more and get something extra I was not looking for to begin with.

Most of those shirts on the web-site store seem to advertise being Catholic, without necessarily challenging others to think about the Gospel. Advertizing to others one is Catholic by what we wear is not the same as evangelizing and explaining our faith.

I have a crucifix in my home, yet for the last several years no not wear a cross or a crucifix, except on special occasions. The reason? I don’t want people to think of me as a follower of Christ by what I wear. I want people to think of me as a follower of Christ by observing my behavior and my words. I don’t want to bias them with advertising, especially if my behavior and words do not reflect the advertizing.

God bless,

Michael
 
You should try www.romanticcatholic.com too. Their shirts are awesome.
Do they make one that has a crucifix and says:

Matthew 4:17 "From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

or

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

?

God bless,

Michael
 
Do they make one that has a crucifix and says:

Matthew 4:17 "From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

or

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

?

God bless,

Michael
No, but they DO have one with the prayer to the Archangel Michael:

"Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.
"
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