You Are More Than Qualified

We all have a tendency to wallow in the comfortable laziness of non-personal responsibility when faced with a problem that seems insurmountable. “I’ve done this all my life and everyone I know does it; why would I possibly change?”

                The construction of the interstate highways system in America was authorized in 1956. With an increasingly mobile and convenience-oriented consumer society, littering from vehicles was the norm and didn’t even register on the individual American’s conscience. It was only through campaigns such as Woodsy the Owl (“Give a hoot, don’t pollute”) and the American Indian Iron Eyes Cody shown tearing up roadside as trash was tossed at his feet that individuals began to see they had to assume personal responsibility for the all-pervasive problem of litter.

                The need to evangelize our family, friends, and neighbors is greater than it has been in generations. Just as the excuses to throw that gum wrapper out the window are no longer acceptable, the abandonment of our responsibility as mature Catholic Christians to share the Good News is no longer acceptable. The excuses are as old as the hills. God has heard them all. Patrick Madrid lists some common excuses in his book Search and Rescue:

1. “Lord, you’ve got the wrong person.”

Come on, evangelization is for priests, nuns, religious ed teachers, and that guy named Pat who lectors the 9:00 am mass. I’m just a busy _________ (here is where you fill in the blank with student, Mom, Dad, retired person, etc.) Moses tried this excuse when God asked him to lead His people out of slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. “Who am I that I should be the one to go to Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt?” in Exodus 3:11. And God answered “I will be with you”.

Today (yes, today) God is asking you to rescue a soul who has left the Catholic Church or one who has never experienced the graces available through Jesus’ church. You may fear that you’re too shy, you lack eloquence, or you don’t have ready answers to people’s objections to the Faith. Just remember what God tells Moses: Don’t worry.  I will be with you.

2. “What authority do I have to do this?”    This may occur to someone when they are considering sharing their faith with someone who knows their faults and weaknesses well. You worry he will say, “Who are you to tell me about this? You’re not perfect, yet you think you’re qualified to tell me about God?”

 

Remember at such times that you are not giving them a message that originates from you; you are reminding them of something they were taught in their youth – something they know deep down in their hearts to be true. You are offering them truth, joy, and freedom – not condemnation.

 

What Does the Bible Say?

“Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.”

—     Ezra 10:4

What Do the Saints Say?

“There are a great number of Christians who would be apostles … if they were not afraid.”

—     St Josemaría Escrivá

“Cast yourself into the arms of God and be very sure that if He wants anything of You, He will fix you for the work and give you strength.”

—     St Phillip Neri

Evangelizing Challenge This Week

For practice, pick someone close to you – a Catholic family member, friend, neighbor or co-worker – and simply strike up a non-threatening, loving conversation. “Hey, here’s something I’ve been thinking about our faith…” Become accustomed to having a quiet conversation about faith.