Why are most Catholics passive in their evangelization?

[Sheeniac]

Catholics constantly are being bashed about their faith, in the news, friends, society… etc…
So many times they are shy about sharing their faith.

I’ve found that rebutting a point or two about the Catholic faith serves as gentle evangelization. This way, I am prepping the soil to receive the seed by removing some of the negative thoughts and emotions towards the Church.

 

[Mt_28_19_20]

BTW, Michael, I am confused. You say here that you are Catholic, yet you are continually arguing elsewhere against priestly celibacy and in those posts you certainly do not come across as “Catholic” in that you speak of our Catholic practices as “yours” rather than “ours.”

Might I ask if you are ‘small c catholic’, or baptized Catholic but currently a: not practicing or b: practicing something other than Roman Catholicism, or c: other?

Why are you confused? Seems like some here want to label me something other than Catholic just because I disagree with celibacy, a changeable tradition.

It seems a bit rude, arrogant, and judgemental for you to ask. I am a sinner, bought by the blood of Jesus, by the grace of God. Faith alone, and Scripture alone are unfounded and not supported by Scripture, which was handed down to us by the Catholic Church. In my opinion, required celibacy is also not supported by Scripture, and for some, having that opinion seems like heresy or heathen? I pray daily, missed Mass three days this year, twice due to travel for medical missions, missed daily adoration tabout ten times this year, go to confession one a week, tithe over 10%, all of which means nothing without God’s grace and the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord. And if priests were allowed to be married tomorrow, that would not change God’s grace and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Proof is the fact that we have had married Popes and biships, and Pope Alexander VI had four children outside of marriage. Don’t be upset with me about that, I would not have encouraged such behavior, and the bishops of his day are the ones who elected him. Do you think he was Catholic? Obviously he, and other Popes were not celibate.

Since you asked, how about you? Are you Christian? Practicing?

Michael

 

[Sheeniac]

I only come drop by once in awhile, but what made me curious was the yours vs ours statement.

I don’t consider anyone asking for more detail about one’s beliefs here to be rude. I am a Pope-loving, traditionally oriented Latin Rite Catholic.

Pax tecum Michael.

 

[Mt_28_19_20]

I only come drop by once in awhile, but what made me curious was the yours vs ours statement.

I don’t consider anyone asking for more detail about one’s beliefs here to be rude. I am a Pope-loving, traditionally oriented Latin Rite Catholic.

Pax tecum Michael.

Guess we disagree. I view it as rude to question if I am a practicing Catholic when I have claimed to be Catholic. My disagreeing with the requirement of celibacy for Latin Rite priests does not give one the right to then ask “if you are ‘small c catholic’, or baptized Catholic but currently a: not practicing or b: practicing something other than Roman Catholicism, or c: other?”

I am a Roman Catholic, love the office of Pope which God gave us, love the Word of God which God gave us through the Church, the pillar and foundation of truth, only because that orients me to faith in Jesus Christ and the grace and mercy of God. All the rest is secondary.

Michael

 

[Eileen_T]

I’ve found that rebutting a point or two about the Catholic faith serves as gentle evangelization. This way, I am prepping the soil to receive the seed by removing some of the negative thoughts and emotions towards the Church.

I have learned how to talk to non-Catholic Christians, to correct misunderstandings they have about Cathlicism. I lead them into asking questions rather than debating, and I use Scriptural references to defend the Cathlic position.

1 Peter 3:15 teaches me to respect where other people are coming from and the gentleness leads more often to discussion than to debate.

Once I can get the other person to at least acknowledge that certain Scripture passages could possibly be interpreted the way the CC teaches, I go to the Apostolic and ECFathers to back up the CC position.

With non-Christians, it is necessary to show them the Gospel by living it, at first. They ask a question, and I talk to them about God’s Providence and how He has worked in my life, His Love etc… As the saying goes, you may be the only Gospel a person will ever read.

Our PP put it quite succinctly this Sunday, we are an Easter people and the main thing we have to show others as a witness to our Faith is to be forgiving and joy-filled.

*“Love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor… Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep … Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” *(Romans 12:10, 15, 16, 21)

 

[cckz7]

I don’t know that most Catholics are passive in evangelising; I can only speak for myself. I have always felt that ‘actions speak louder than words’, and have tried to live my life this way. I feel that living one’s life in as conscientiously Catholic a way as possible is the most effective way to witness to non-Catholics. I also feel that prayer is the most powerful tool for conversion available to us. St. Monica could have nagged her son about converting until her tongue dried up, but she very wisely took the route of praying daily for his conversion instead, and her prayers were granted. The problem with verbal evangelisation, as I see it, is that too often the person we are trying to witness to sees us not as an authority, but really as just another person who doesn’t know anymore about Christ or the Church than they do. If we live exemplary Catholic lives, while at the same time praying for the conversion of others, I feel sure we will draw far more people to the Church than otherwise. After all, evangelisation is far more than just verbal witness and group prayer.

well said… That part about others not seeing us as knowing more about the Church than they do hit home. I know this young guy who was open to certain Catholic things likethe rosary, etc… but one day, he got upset with me because i implied to him that he didn’t know the Catholic faith (etc), which he didn’t… i hadn’t meant to come across that way, but whatever…
It seemed odd that he would act as though he knew as much about Catholicism as i do. He has never been Catholic and as far as i can tell, has never studied Church history or anything… never gone to RCIA… (not to mention, i am twice his age). But in a way, maybe many Protestants are like that. They think they know Catholicism because of what thier Protestant ministers have been saying about it in their sermons (etc)…
That’s annoying to me, but we all have to remmeber that they were raised to believe a certain way and old beliefs/habits/pre-conceptions die hard…

 

[Mintaka]

I always found it very annoying to be evangelized by non-Catholics, or invited to their church (especially when they would otherwise never have spoken to me). Therefore, following the Golden Rule, I am very cautious about “witnessing”.

I should say, however, that the Legion of Mary is a Catholic evangelizing group that’s been around since the early 1900’s. Most people are only aware of their Rosary activities, but apparently they do go door to door.

 

[forthefaith77]

My Parish has had very little effort in Evangelization because they have a steady population. With about 500 members the only real new people that come in are parents of children in the grade school, people who move or the about 5-7 people that join the church on their own accord/ for marrige. Most people do not know each other well and the ones that do knew were friends before. Catholics are passive becasue they are not faced with parishes spiting apart for theolgical dissagreements, pastor walk outs, denominations that have not grown since the 1970’s and were created from spilts from other churches. In short it is alot easier for an Catholic to not evangelization becasue if they dont do it their church will still remain with a high population.

 

[JezuUfamTobie]

Think of it as letting your light shine before all instead of blinding them with a maglite in the eyes

That’s a pretty apt description of the difference, actually.

I’m a convert from agnosticism/atheism to Catholicism, and I’ll say that I was never drawn to the Church by anybody actively trying to evangelize me. Those people probably delayed my entrance. I was instead drawn to people who “let their light shine” by example, by living a life of charity, kindness, joy, and sacrifice. I preferred my doses of apologetics from non-threatening sources like books and radio, not from flesh and blood people (unless I specifically asked).

I think most people are like that. As Catholics, we should be prepared to answer questions about our Faith (hopefully questions spurred by our Christian lifestyle), but chasing down unwilling listeners rarely makes a positive difference.

 

[Sheeniac]

And yet we sometimes read in conversion stories the fact that no one ever approached them about the Catholic faith, and that they were not happy about it.

Considering that some Prot denominations actively work to draw people in, this can be seen as another ‘unfriendly’ aspect on the part of Catholics.

 

[JezuUfamTobie]

And yet we sometimes read in conversion stories the fact that no one ever approached them about the Catholic faith, and that they were not happy about it.

Hey, are you talking about saints or well-known individuals? If so would you mind posting a few? I’m honestly curious to hear about this.

 

[Sheeniac]

Well, individuals. I receive the Coming Home Network mailing (I’m a supporting member) and the storie shave mentioned it once or twice. In addition, some of the books they’ve published of conversion stories (regular people) have a story or two that have mentioned it.

I am planning on dong some mailings to people in my parish’s geographical boundaries. I purchased a book on bringing people to the Catholic faith not realizing that it was a reprint from the late 1950’s. This was one of the things they recommended to do (and had done, with some success).

I figure maybe sending out 10 letters a week with some RCC info couldn’t hurt. I found a wonderful one upthread. While there are tracts and flyers put out by a lot of groups, I think you need to be careful in what you select. Too wordy, and people just won’t read it. Too sparse, and we don’t convey enough information.

That said, while we can work avidly to help people ‘come home to Rome’, it is scary in that we never know where they might end up. I was chatting with someone over some time before and during my reversion. He’s an orthdox man, and he helped me immensely.

I reported back to him some things I had experienced both at my initial discussion prior to my first Reconciliation in 25 years, as well as my experiences in my local parish, and he was able to help me work past it all. With his advise, I was able to find a nearby parish that radiates holiness.

So, it’s a long process, I think, and the Holy Spirit certainly has his hands full! But that doesn’t release us from doing our part.

 

[Sheeniac]

I’m a convert from agnosticism/atheism to Catholicism, and I’ll say that I was never drawn to the Church by anybody actively trying to evangelize me.

I was a cradle Catholic who wandered in the desert of athiesm for 25 years. Mel Gibson, Lee Strobel, Mother Angelica, Archbishop Fulton J.Sheen, His Awesomeness B16, and a few people participating in a Catholics Returning Home 6 week course brought me back in. So like you, no one actively witnessed me back in.

 

[LeahInancsi]

Because the Catholic church does not require that I knock someone up-the-side-of-the-head to evangelize.

I do it in the way I live my life and the way I treat others.

 

[Mt_28_19_20]

Because the Catholic church does not require that I knock someone up-the-side-of-the-head to evangelize.

I do it in the way I live my life and the way I treat others.

Of course it would be contrary to the example Jesus gave us to “knock someone up-side-of-the-head to evangelize”.

There are many good ethical, moral people who are not Christian. So is that all the Christ asks of us, to be good and treat others well, without confessing Christ? When is the last time many of us spoke aloud the name of Jesus outside of Mass? Do we share our faith in kindness with our nonChristian friends? Or do we hope they will wonder by our actions, and that they will initiate the conversation? How many people wonder about how readily we will bring up something like football, or some news fad, and yet they hardly if ever hear us mention Jesus Christ?

Mt 10:16-32

Michael

 

[scylla]

I agree Michael, we can certainly be good people and hope that they notice, many times Catholics seem to fall on this habit. Just be an example, yet the people around us don’t even know we are Christian.

Many times we do not mention that we have a relationship with Jesus and it is wonderful to be a Catholic.

It is much easier to talk about the weather, cheeseburgers, traffic, news etc, than to talk about the faith. It is difficult and I will admit I do fall short many times in chances which I have to share my faith, even though most people would say I am a pretty hard core Catholic. I wimp out all the time, and I am sure many others do too.

It is something I struggle with, to share the faith with charity and actually witness the faith without turning people off. For me it is a balance between not sharing anything and coming on too strong.

In Christ
Scylla

 

[Mt_28_19_20]

I agree Michael, we can certainly be good people and hope that they notice, many times Catholics seem to fall on this habit. Just be an example, yet the people around us don’t even know we are Christian.

Many times we do not mention that we have a relationship with Jesus and it is wonderful to be a Catholic.

It is much easier to talk about the weather, cheeseburgers, traffic, news etc, than to talk about the faith. It is difficult and I will admit I do fall short many times in chances which I have to share my faith, even though most people would say I am a pretty hard core Catholic. I wimp out all the time, and I am sure many others do too.

It is something I struggle with, to share the faith with charity and actually witness the faith without turning people off. For me it is a balance between not sharing anything and coming on too strong.

In Christ
Scylla

True, it is not easy to know when or how to share our faith in conversation. And without our daily lives reflecting in some way our faith in Christ, our words will not hold the same weight.

Patience and fortitude, how to balance? From my own experience, I have found times were it seemed best to be more bold, and other times when a few words now and then plant the seed for further conversation. Looking and listening for opportunities to gently plant a seed can lead to some good conversations over time.

I remember a few years ago starting to pay more attention to what people said and thinking about whether to comment or ask a question about what they said. For some, it was a welcome opportunity to hear more about their faith. For some I was surprised that they professed to be Christian.

Michael

 

[LeahInancsi]

Of course it would be contrary to the example Jesus gave us to “knock someone up-side-of-the-head to evangelize”.

There are many good ethical, moral people who are not Christian. So is that all the Christ asks of us, to be good and treat others well, without confessing Christ? When is the last time many of us spoke aloud the name of Jesus outside of Mass? Do we share our faith in kindness with our nonChristian friends? Or do we hope they will wonder by our actions, and that they will initiate the conversation? How many people wonder about how readily we will bring up something like football, or some news fad, and yet they hardly if ever hear us mention Jesus Christ?

Mt 10:16-32

Michael

Michael,

You’re asking too many questions for me to understand what YOU’RE trying to say. I understand Matthew, but not you.

I noticed that you did not say where you are from. I am from deep in the Baptist Bible belt. The first thing that happens when you mention anything having to do with religion is “What church to you go to?” I don’t want to start an argument or even a riot by saying that “I’m Catholic” because as we all know, all Catholics are going to hell, do not pass go, do not collect $200!

Get it? :juggle:

 

[Mt_28_19_20]

Michael,

You’re asking too many questions for me to understand what YOU’RE trying to say. I understand Matthew, but not you.

I noticed that you did not say where you are from. I am from deep in the Baptist Bible belt. The first thing that happens when you mention anything having to do with religion is “What church to you go to?” I don’t want to start an argument or even a riot by saying that “I’m Catholic” because as we all know, all Catholics are going to hell, do not pass go, do not collect $200!

Get it? :juggle:

“what YOU’RE trying to say. I understand Matthew, but not you.”

 Was that an attempt to knock me "up-side-the-head"?

Many people understand Matthew, not all attempt to apply all of it. Sometimes we apply only what is “comfortable”. Some may find it easier to forgive others, than to speak the name of Jesus and the gospel in the presence of nonChristians, or nonCatholics. Get it? What is the title of this thread?

Michael

 

[christcnection1]

People hide behind the St. Francis quote, but they often forget that it is very, very often necessary to use words. People need to know you are a Catholic, they need to understand the Catholic faith if your charity will have any meaning towards evangelization. The Second Vatican Council declared anyone who is not evangelizing to be useless!

Absolutely! Positively!

We must use words to share our faith. If I do a good work for someone, they may never know if I’m Buddhist, Mormon, or Catholic. In other words, connect our actions with our faith, otherwise our evangelism is likely fruitless.

I also think one of the problems is that our faith is complex and deep. To get someone to join the Church is more challenging than simply telling someone to “recieve Jesus Christ into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior.” (…if only it were that simple.)