Who's In Charge Here?

Regardless of the evangelization effort or the action, I should not be the person calling the shots or making things happen.

When the chance to talk about Jesus to a friend, neighbor or co-worker arises I can act

like Jeremiah in today’s first Reading or St. Peter in today’s Gospel from Matthew 16; I will be the first to cross my arms, dig in my heels, defy God and pout like a five-year-old. “No, this is not how I want to witness to my faith; this is not the person I want to witness to! That’s not how it’s supposed to be! No, no, no!” It’s not mature and not helpful, but it’s the truth. When I am guilty of it I am failing in the skill of detachment. Paraphrasing Dr. Jeff Mirus, founder of CatholicCulture.org, all effective evangelists need to recognize sharp distinctions between, on the one hand, all that is definitely revealed by God as essential to Christ and, on the other hand, all of our favorite opinions on such things as politics, culture, entertainment, private devotions, music, and a hundred other things which prevent our interacting with others as the potential kindred spirits that they really are. St. Paul put it best: “I have become all things to all, to save at least some” (1 Cor 9:22). If we want to preach the Gospel, we cannot insist that our prescriptions on everything from politics to sacred music must also be received and accepted as oracles of God. How often I get in my own way, putting others off because I intrude so much of myself into every discussion! The goal in evangelization is for me to speak in a way that enables others to hear, not me, but Christ. For this to happen, detachment from my own prejudices, preferences and opinions is essential.

Beyond that, I have to recognize that it shouldn’t be me making an impact on the person I’m talking to, but Jesus. The moment I can extract my own preferences, prejudices and self-centered fear from the moment and let God take charge, I’m a better evangelist. Courage and confidence in speaking to others is only the beginning! Inviting God into the conversation – before, during and after – is vital.

When I get out of my own way and out of God’s way to let Him be the source and the focus of my words, thoughts and actions – my own evangelization, only then shall His will, not mine, be done.

Let God be in charge of all things.

Evangelizing Challenge This Week

Before speaking to others about matters of faith, let us pray in the words of Psalm 19:13-15.

“Cleanse me from my inadvertent sins…Let the words of my mouth be acceptable, the thoughts of my heart before you, Lord, my rock and redeemer.”