The First Evangelizers

Sometimes, the most easily understood analogies to modern sensibilities are business or organizational analogies. The New Testament clearly shows Peter as the leader of the apostles, chosen by Jesus to have a special relationship with him. With James and John he was privileged to witness the Transfiguration, the raising of a dead child to life and the agony in Gethsemane. His mother-in-law was cured by Jesus. He was sent with John to prepare for the last Passover before Jesus' death. His name is first on every list of apostles. Peter, you might say, was the first CAO (Chief Apostolic Officer) of the Church.

St. Peter, chief among Christ's twelve disciples, spent his life spreading the word of Jesus. And to Peter only did Jesus say, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:17b-19).

But the Gospels prove their own trustworthiness by the unflattering details. He clearly had no public relations person. It is a great comfort for ordinary mortals to know that Peter also has his human weakness, even in the presence of Jesus. He generously gave up all things, yet he can ask in childish self-centeredness, "What are we going to get for all this?" (see Matthew 19:27). He receives the full force of Christ's anger when he objects to the idea of a suffering Messiah: "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do" (Matthew 16:23). He loyally resists the first attempt to arrest Jesus by cutting off Malchus's ear, but in the end he runs away with the others. In the depth of his sorrow, Jesus looks on him and forgives him, and he goes out and sheds bitter tears. The Risen Jesus told Peter to feed his lambs and his sheep (John 21:15-17).

For all the suffering brought to Judea by oppressive Roman rule, it also brought the latest advances of technology. St. Paul used the very latest technology of his day to spread the Good News – the paved roads of the Roman Empire. Not surprisingly, in light of his preaching and teaching skills, Paul's name has surfaced (among others) as a possible patron of the Internet. But it is amazing to grasp the truly radical nature of St. Paul’s evangelization. If the most well-known preacher today suddenly began preaching that the United States should adopt Marxism and not rely on the Constitution, the angry reaction would help us understand Paul's life when he started preaching that Christ alone can save us. He had been the most Pharisaic of Pharisees, the most legalistic of Mosaic lawyers. Now he suddenly appears to other Jews as a heretical welcomer of Gentiles, a traitor and apostate.

Paul's central conviction was simple and absolute: Only God can save humanity. No human effort—even the most scrupulous observance of law—can create a human good which we can bring to God as reparation for sin and payment for grace. To be saved from itself, from sin, from the devil and from death, humanity must open itself completely to the saving power of Jesus.

Paul never lost his love for his Jewish family, though he carried on a lifelong debate with them about the uselessness of the Law without Christ. He reminded the Gentiles that they were grafted on the parent stock of the Jews, who were still God's chosen people, the children of the promise.

Thanks to Wikipedia.org, American Catholic.org, Catholic News Agency, the New Orleans Times-Picayune and USCCB.net.

What Does the Church Say?

“It is always useful to teach the faithful to realize the importance and significance of the feasts of those Saints who have had a particular mission in the history of Salvation, or a singular relationship with Christ such as … Sts. Peter and Paul (29 June)”

—Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy

What Do the Saints Say?

“Both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles' blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith.”

—St. Augustine of Hippo, 395

A Civilization of Love

Part of an interview with Archbishop William E. Lori

The 3^rd Annual Fortnight for Freedom began this weekend and runs through July 4. The Archbishop of Baltimore discusses it and some of the HHS cases. In a wide-ranging interview, Archbishop Lori touched on the likely outcome of Hobby Lobby’s legal challenge to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ contraception mandate and legislative efforts at the state level to secure religious freedom.

“A major issue is challenges to religious freedom at the state level. During recent legislative seasons, attempts to secure legislation modeled on the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) have run into difficulties. We saw that in Kansas, Arizona and other states. Even attempts to make modest improvements to laws already on the books have been vigorously opposed by people who want to limit religious freedom… new challenges to religious freedom raised by the advent of same-sex "marriage" at the state level. As of yet, no one is insisting that same-sex "marriages" be solemnized in church. Nonetheless, [changes in state marriage laws] affect a range of issues, like hiring and faculty contracts in Catholic schools.”

Are we entering a new phase in the campaign to challenge misconceptions about religious freedom?

“There [has been] a shift in thinking: Religious freedom is still constitutionally guaranteed, but it should be counterbalanced by other rights, such as those pertaining to ‘reproductive freedom’ and the freedom to marry.

Now, in the most recent stage in thinking about religious freedom, it is considered to be a bad thing. It represents an attempt to forbid people from doing things they have a right to do and to impose irrational opinions on the culture at large, through public advocacy, the delivery of services by religious institutions and their hiring practices.

The majority of people may not see it that way, but we have reached the point that a very hostile view of religious freedom has moved into broad daylight.

All intermediate institutions are, to some extent, under attack, especially the family. The family is the prime institution that mediates between the power of the state and the individual conscience. Certainly, religious faith can play that role, but the current trend is to privatize religion: As long as churches are just a club where people come to pray, there is complete freedom. But when the Church speaks or acts to serve the common good or when [religious institutions and individuals] enter the workplace — when they hire or fire — that’s another story.

At the moment, there is no movement from the administration or from Congress [regarding legislative or legal challenges to the HHS mandate].”

Do you see any change in public opinion among Catholics and others of goodwill on the emerging threats to religious freedom?

“If we were practicing our faith at historic levels, I don’t think these challenges to religious freedom would have gained the traction they have gained. But fewer people go to

church and practice their religion, and so these challenges are more politically feasible. There is a clear link between evangelization and the defense of religious liberty. The more Catholics know, understand, practice and love their faith, the more ready they will be as citizens to defend their own faith and defend the right of their fellow citizens to live out their faith.

That said, I believe there is more support among Catholics, evangelicals, the Orthodox Jewish community and other groups of faith believers and minority religions to defend religious liberty than the popular media would lead us to believe.

It is hard to say how the court will decide the Hobby Lobby and Conestoga cases, but we hope for a robust defense of the right of people of faith who have founded companies to live their faith in the very enterprise they run.

I would be surprised if the court ruled more broadly, in a way that could affect legal challenges brought by religious nonprofits.

We selected the theme ‘Freedom to Serve’ [as the theme for Fortnight for Freedom] because what is under attack is not our right to worship, but our right to go beyond our places of worship and serve the poor and the young.

Once again, the opening Mass will be on June 21 at the Baltimore basilica, and the closing Mass on July 4 will be at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

During the fortnight, we invite people to engage in acts of Christian service or become directly involved in the Church’s outreach to the poor and the needy. Let’s understand that challenges to religious freedom are parallel to challenges to life and family. What is called for is not just a short-term effort, but a movement that brings together life, marriage, service to the needy and religious freedom.

We have to take the long view, as the pro-life movement did in 1973, and ask for God’s grace to keep going. We are talking about the creation of a true civilization of love that is pre-eminently a work of faith.”

Read the entire interview at: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/archbishop-lori-encourages-service-to-church-and-country/

How to Evangelize Where the World Isn't Watching by Kaite Warner

I often daydream of being an evangelist just like Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Actually, sometimes, I kind of want to be Archbishop Sheen. He captured the attention of Catholics and non-Catholics alike, evangelizing with perspicuity and brilliance.

As a lover of Catholicism and communication, Archbishop Sheen is my gold standard for sharing the Good News. When I think about the Heavenly Father greeting the newest saints entering heaven with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant," I imagine him saying instead to Archbishop Sheen, "Well said, good and faithful servant!"

How cool would that be, if that could be me?

But it isn’t. I don’t spend my days luminously articulating the faith over the TV waves or through handfuls of masterfully written books (though both activities sound divine).

Instead, God has called me — right here, right now — to evangelize where the world isn’t watching, where the world can’t see.

He has called me to evangelize, first and foremost, in my domestic church.

Recently, my husband and I welcomed our baby boy into the world. Without question, marriage and motherhood are the hardest and most rewarding work I have ever done. Speaking, writing and working for apostolates — I love that stuff.

But it’s in building up the domestic church that I have come to realize that I have — that everyone has — the greatest power to change the world.

In well-known lines from Evangelii Nuntiandi, Pope Paul VI writes, "Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize".

It is easy to overlook the fact that the same can be said of the domestic church. We — the family — exist in order to evangelize. Evangelization is part of our deepest identity.

The home is truly the epicenter of the New Evangelization. When so many families today are broken and faithless, we as Catholic evangelists have the opportunity to build whole, joyful, faithful families.

In Familiaris Consortio (The Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World), Pope St. John Paul II offers a powerful directive: "Each family finds within itself a summons that cannot be ignored and that specifies both its dignity and its responsibility: Family, become what you are".

Family, become what you are — a unit of hope that practices authentic love, service, patience, self-sacrifice and faith.

This is evangelization, and don’t sell yourself short, because this evangelization is anything but easy.

There are two activities you can do right now to help you build up your domestic church: intentional loving and intentional discipling.

Every day, focus on a way you can better intentionally love your spouse and disciple your kids. Create a "love list," a list of things that answer the question, "It makes me feel loved when you …" Strive to do at least one thing on your spouse’s love list every day.

Then, pray with your kids each day — and not just Hail Marys and Our Fathers.

Do pray those, but also pray spontaneously with your children.

Spontaneous, from-the-heart prayer teaches your children how to talk to God as a Father and as a friend.

God is love, and when you better love your spouse and kids, you become more like God and a better home evangelist.

These simple strategies help address the pivotal question: "How am I helping my family become what God made us to be?"

The answer to that summons is the measure of a truly heroic evangelist. Remember, home life and family evangelization is not publicized and may not always be glamorous, but it’s the place where saints are made.

Katie Warner, a National Catholic Register correspondent and author writes from California. Her website is CatholicKatie.com.

Reprinted with permission

What Do the Saints Say?

"Each family finds within itself a summons that cannot be ignored and that specifies both its dignity and its responsibility: Family, become what you are."

— Pope St. John Paul II

Evangelizing Challenge

Pray from-the-heart spontaneously (extemporaneously – meaning “making it up as you go along”) this week with your children, your spouse, your brothers and sisters or your close friends. Encourage others to do the same thing.

How to Evangelize

 

Five Little Ways To Evangelize day-by-day For the Average Joe (or Jane)

We have heard and read for years now, or at least in recent days, about the “New Evangelization” of the Church. Maybe we even have a sense of what evangelization means. But we probably all wonder where to start. Is evangelizing ourselves and others something we can just decide without taking any personal actions or steps? How do we even start? A Good Shepherd parishioner has written down five very simple ways to start.

1.  Listen to the folks around you and reach out

How often do you hear folks say they are stressed, struggling or having a hard day? Maybe a hard week, month or even a tough year? Let them talk and don't judge.  Let them see that Catholics have empathy and are not judging or perfect. Shake a hand, give a hug, hold a door open, maybe even give up your spot in line to that single parent with loud kids.

2. Pray for people

Even ones you normally wouldn’t. Examples: the guy who drives like a jerk - Put him on your prayer list. The person at work you can't stand - on the list. The rude lady in line at the grocery store - list. You may need to step back to get some perspective, see they are not mean or bad people - just ones that need some prayer. Just like us. If they are folks you know, tell them you’re praying for them. Simple prayers. God knows what they need. Just offer it up for them, if you don’t know a name, that’s OK! God knows who you’re talking about! Just “the rude guy in the Buick” is fine - God knows us all. What prayers? Jesus taught us a perfect prayer. We have rosary prayer, saints and all sorts of prayer you can do on behalf of others.

3. Pray at meals in public

No huge production needed. Just a quick simple sign of the cross and typical pre-meal prayer. Bless us, Oh Lord, and these gifts, etc... Don’t make a standing, swooping, theatrical sign of the cross and scream like a mega church rock band preacher annoying other people trying to eat. Keep it light, simple and natural – just like you would at home. People will still notice. It inspires others. It will not bother those around you that are not Christians. And, let’s face it, we as Catholics should be doing it anyway.

4. Live the life

Be the person that forgives and loves. Hate sin, love the sinner. Don't be the bad example. Don't be the guy that's at a strip club Saturday night then hung over at Mass on Sunday morning. Don't be the woman who has a rosary on her rear view mirror and tailgates everyone, is texting and updating Facebook all while driving and endangering those around her. Be the first one to say, “I'm sorry.” Admit a mistake.

5. Evangelize yourself!

Read and learn your bible. Learn more of your faith.   This will help you and others around you especially when those questions come up about Catholic views or discussions. When it comes down to it, regarding the big issues most folks ask Catholics about, Jesus gave very clear answers. Things like abortion, the Eucharist, forgiveness, etc., it's all in the Bible in Jesus’ own words. If you say, “The Church teaches this and that,” folks may not give it validity or hear it as credible - especially those of other faiths. But when you say, “Jesus said this and taught this and that’s what the church follows,” you have some ears tuned in.  

If you read or listen to Matthew Kelly you know what I mean when I say your actions follow your thoughts, that you can become the best version of yourself. We don't all have to have the charisma Kelly has but if we have time to watch TV, play on the computer, listen to a CD or go to ball game we have time to read the Bible also and become better versions of ourselves.

— Mark F, GSCC Parishioner, CRHP 9, Evangelization/Stewardship Council

What Does the Bible Say?

“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.”

— 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Evangelizing Challenge This Week

Take a small step. Choose one of the five ways to evangelize yourself or others on this page and commit to putting it into practice. Do so as a family; discuss them at home and commit to one together – this week.