How to Evangelize: From Home's Walls to the World's Edges

The National Cancer Institute estimates that a little over 600,000 people will die this year from cancer. That’s almost as many people who live in Nashville, TN. So, the equivalent of the population of Nashville is estimated to die this year from cancer.

If you had a cure from cancer and could stop it, would you tell everyone you knew? You have a cure. You have a life-saving critical cure for the masses and yet most people who have this cure are not telling anyone else. They’re holding it close to themselves, almost as a secret, because after all…..no one would really care anyway and they might think you’re crazy. The disease is sin. The cure is Jesus.

Ask yourself a question. How many of you have told someone else about Jesus and his love and mercy in the last year? How many of you have told someone why you are a Christian in the last month? Conversations about Jesus, our faith, the Bible, and our beliefs are all what lead others to the Church. By leading others to the Church you are leading others to repentance and forgiveness. Mary’s “yes” to the angel paves the path for our “yes” to God and to tell others.

The latest statistics show that 3 out of 4 Christians, that’s 74% of Christians, seldom or never have a “spiritual conversation” with anyone. Why are we not telling others about a cure that could save their lives? Those same statistics show that 78% of the unchurched and non-religious would be willing to listen to someone who shared what they believed about Christianity. Those 78% are sick. They need the cure Christians have and Christians are not willing to hand it over to them.

Many Catholics do not share the faith with others because they simply are not educated well enough to tell others about their faith. They know what they believe but they do not know why. They’re afraid of challenges, oppositions, or rejection. Jesus commands us in Matthew 28:19-20 to “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.” It is not solely the responsibility of our deacons, priests, and bishops or even the pope to share the faith. It is the responsibility of every Christian to reach out to those who are in need and share with them how a life in Christ can make the entire difference.

There are 5 primary ways the love of Christ can meet the needs of people in a way that the world cannot meet them. Christ offers unwavering love. It’s a love that is unlike any other and it’s a love that can change lives and save lives. It’s a love that can reduce depression, reduce suicides, stop violence, and end abortion. It’s that love which Catholics are not sharing with others in a manner in which the disciples did. Jesus started with 12 disciples and changed the world. You have the power to make a difference by simply sharing the same message with others that the apostles shared.

Christ offers a grace that reaches the inner depths of our being. The grace that God offers is a wellspring of life. The grace of Christ gives us forgiveness and mercy (Hebrews 4:16) when we are in our greatest need. There are many people feeling weighed down with sin and needing someone to forgive them and extend some mercy. Jesus is extending that hand of mercy and grace.

Christ offers true forgiveness. How many times have we been told by someone we have hurt, or we have told someone who has hurt us, that “I forgive you, but it better not happen again”? How many times have we put a condition on our forgiveness? How many times have we said “I forgive you, but I just don’t want anything to do with you anymore”? Jesus offers an unconditional forgiveness that many are dying to find. It’s that forgiveness we are not sharing with others when we do not evangelize.

With forgiveness, love, and grace comes the other two main things Jesus offers the world: emotional healing and a purpose in life. Everyone is broken in some way. Everyone has emotional wounds and hurts that are still bleeding. Everyone, at some time, has asked the question “what is the purpose of life” and “why am I here.” When we evangelize we are offering that emotional healing and giving that purpose in life to others.

If you want to begin evangelizing others then it begins in your own home. Mother Teresa said, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family” In the world of instant communication, social media, sports, trophies, and bank accounts the true meaning of love and life is lost. In order to love our children and our spouses we should desire to give them something that lasts. The only thing we can give our family that will go into eternity with us is the faith Jesus Christ left us through the Church and a life of faith. Sports and athletic accomplishments are great, but should never come before establishing a sacramental life.

I have never seen a trophy case behind a hearse. Your children cannot take their sports accomplishments with them into eternity but they will take their faith, or lack of faith. 

Teaching your children the faith begins with understanding the faith yourself. It continues by living the faith:

A Howard University survey conducted in 2017 revealed that 67% of youth ages 12-18 admire their parents more than anyone else and said their parents were the most influential people in their lives. That puts you, parents, as the most important instructors and teachers of the faith to your children. 

There are five simple ways to share your faith.

            1.) Live it at home

            2.) Invite co-workers and family to church events/Mass (most every parish has a fish fry during Lent. This is a great time to ask a neighbor or friend to come enjoy some great food and meet others)

            3.) Offer to pray for someone or with someone who you know need it or who is going through something

            4.) Go out for coffee or lunch with a friend or co-worker and talk about how your faith has made a difference in your life

            5.) Use social media. Set the example of Jesus on social media. Choose to not be negative, not attack others (even politicians you do not agree with) and intentionally make it a platform to share how Jesus loves others, offers forgiveness, and to extend prayers to others. Share how the saints lived their lives and what God is doing in yours.

We are all called to share the faith. We are all called to offer hope and forgiveness. When we get engaged we tell everyone we know. When our children get engaged and set wedding plans, we would put up a billboard if we could. When we have children or grandchildren, we carry pictures, show them to even strangers we just met, and talk about them endlessly. Everyone knows about your spouse, children, grandchildren, but do they know about the Father who sent His Only Son to die for you? Have you told them about the greatest love?