In last Wednesday’s Gospel, Jesus told His disciples that they were not to prepare their defense before hand because He Himself would give them a wisdom in speaking.  (Lk 21:14).  I know Jesus was alluding to their legal defense when they would eventually be persecuted, but today I had an opportunity to pray for wisdom in speaking in an unexpected situation.

I had gone to my office at the parish center to wrap up some unfinished business.  Upon entering the building I noticed someone was using one of the conference room.  Not long after settling in at my desk I was interrupted by a woman, a friend of mine, knocking at my door.  She is Hispanic, was the one using the conference room, and she was leading six fourteen and fifteen year old girls, along with three moms, in preparation for their Quinceaneras, their cultural right-of-passage into womanhood at the age of fifteen.

My friend asked me if I would come talk to the girls about their faith obligations once they make this transition into young adulthood.  I’m sure I had a scared, deer-in-the-headlights look on my face because: one, I stink at extemporaneous speaking; and, two, all I knew about this celebration is what I just wrote in italics above.  I had no idea what new faith obligations they might have once they “officially” become young women, and no time to ask or research it.  What could I say?  She is my friend and she asked because I am the parish’s Director of Evangelization.  She was trusting in me to enlighten these young ladies.  

It is about twenty steps from my office to the conference room.  With the first ten or so steps I tried to think of what to say but, getting no inspiration, I paced the last ten steps simply praying for the Holy Spirit to lead me.

My friend had the girls introduce themselves and I congratulated them on their upcoming milestone and asked if they were looking forward to it.  They smiled and nodded.  I made an awkward momentary pause, still not knowing what to say, but continued with, “Growing up can be exciting but it also brings more responsibility as you know.  One of those responsibilities is to not only stay strong in your faith but to pass that faith along to others.  We call that evangelizing.”  Mostly blank looks followed.

“How many of you have tattoos?”  That produced a smile or two and, thankfully, none had received one.  “That’s good”, I added with my own smile, “but you actually have a tattoo, an invisible one.  It’s the mark you received at your baptism, the mark that identifies you as a beloved daughter of God, and one who has the Spirit of Christ in you!”  Quizzical looks.   

You’re fourteen or fifteen so I suspect you’ve all been Confirmed, right?”  All nods.  “You may not know it but you were given another gift at your Confirmation, the courage and strength to tell others about your love for Jesus.  Is that kind of a scary thought, talking about your faith?”  More nods.

“Well, it’s really not that hard.  The best way to do that is to just be friendly with other people, especially those whom you don’t know well.  And, because you have the love of Christ in you, you will radiate a joy that they find different than in other people.  They will begin to want some of what you have.  They will want to be your friend.  It’s much easier to share your feelings with friends, isn’t it?”  Nods.

“But you have to be open to making new friends, which means that you have to intentionally reach out to meet new people.  And that can be kind of scary.  But, remember, you have been given the strength and courage you need to do that.  What’s the best way to make good new friends?  Well, the best way is to put your phones down and greet people person to person and have conversations face to face.  This is how you really get to know someone and they get to know you.  And, it’s the best way to share life and share your faith and introduce a new friend to Jesus.  It’s the adult way to have a relationship with someone else.”  Funny looks.

“Jesus told all of us to go and tell others about Him.  It’s our responsibility.  And it’s a responsibility that we have to accept as adults.  I love that you’re all so excited about this next step in your life!  it can be really exciting, too, to share your faith with other people, especially when you see them learning to love Jesus, too. 

“I wish you all well, and that your Quinceanera celebrations are amazing!  And, I hope you all embrace your young adulthood and the challenges and responsibilities it will bring.  God bless you all.”  Smiles and nods.

It’s difficult to tell what’s going on in a stoic young person’s mind.  Everything I said may have gone in one ear and out the other.  My friend and the moms seemed to love my comments, though.  Someday I may have the opportunity to look back on this and see whether or not my advice stuck with them.  If a connection was made with just one of those young women, and she someday puts those ideas into play, then all of my situational uneasiness will have been worth it.  But, for now, I will simply trust in the Holy Spirit, the One Who gave me the wisdom to speak those words, to take it from here.

“Dear Lord, thank You for this opportunity that literally came knocking on my door today.  You may have been testing me, or You may have been simply showing me that You believe in me, that I actually can evangelize when I need to.  Either way, I thank You, and I thank You for giving me the words to speak.  Lord, I pray for those young ladies, that they may keep the faith and that they will lead others closer to You.  Amen.”

(Wisdom in Speaking was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

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