Why should we make the effort to evangelize our fellow inactive Catholics or non-Catholics?
1. Jesus asked us to. We do so out of love and obedience to our Lord who laid down his life for us. On the day of his ascension, in what became known as “The Great Commission”, he told his assembled disciples “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” This final command before he returned to his Father in heaven urges us to go to our fellow man and share the good news that Jesus is the Christ, God become man, who took the sins of the world up with him on the cross, died for us, was raised to life and ascended into heaven. He now shares His divine life with us through His church and her sacraments till the day of His return in Glory. We will not be alone when we approach our neighbors / family / friends / strangers with this Good News, for He told us – “And behold, I am with you always…”
2. Joy – from our great gifts. We want to share this Good News with our fellow man. Our life is bathed in the infinite glow of Christ’s love for us which sustains us and gives meaning to our existence. We know that God “…wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.” (1Tim 2:4) We desire to bring others into that same light that illuminates our own lives. We are moved by compassion for those in the shadows or darkness who do not know Him.
3. Everyone deserves a chance. In today’s society, we cannot assume that an individual has heard the Good News in a positive manner from someone who has experienced Jesus and has a relationship with Him. Because we know Him, we have a duty to share Him with others so that they can decide whether they choose to follow Him or not. This sacred duty should not be left up to Hollywood, the Internet, or the nightly news.
4. Because the need is so great. We are surrounded by people who are hungering, thirsting, and dying for the Good News in their lives. They ask the timeless questions that have been with man from the beginning: Is there any sense, any meaning to life? Why am I here? Why is there suffering? Does anyone care? Is there hope? Is this all there is? If we have the answer to their questions – Jesus Christ – then to withhold the way, the truth and the life is unjust and calls our own inaction into question.
Our readings on this Third Sunday of Lent begin with the tale from Exodus about how the people of Israel were in the desert, and they were thirsty. They were unhappy with Moses, their leader, and they were disappointed with God to the extent they questioned whether the Lord was still present, asking “Is the Lord in our midst or not?”
That is a question we may ask at times. We may wonder if God is watching over us; we may lose our trust in God. It is worth noting that the Book of Exodus tells us in today’s reading that the Israelites were in a place called Massah and Meribah. In Hebrew “Massah” means “to test” and “Meribah” means “to quarrel or provoke.” The description of the chosen people “provoking” God and “testing” God may have applicability to us as well. Stewardship calls for us to place our faith and trust in God — to believe and know that He is always with us and always watching over us.
That is not easy. Jesus never once tells us that it will be easy or that it is easy. However, He also assures us in today’s Gospel that He brings us the “living water.” Even in the Book of Isaiah we are reminded “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” (Is 12:3) As St. Paul says in the second reading, “…and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts.” (Like living water)
What Does the Bible Say?
“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go out and bear fruit that will remain…” John 15:16
“So we are ambassadors for Christ” 2Cor 5:20
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