Evangelization Begins with Friendship

29 Monday May 2023

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Evangelization

Tags

Acts 2:2-3, Commencement, Disciple-Maker, Discipleship, Evangelization, Friendship, Friendship Deficit Syndrome, Holy Spirit, Mt 28:19, Pentecost

I went to a high school graduation party yesterday for a young friend of mine, Thomas, with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working side by side as a volunteer repairing people’s homes, and who has been a great help to me in maintaining my own property. After writing a note to him in the obligatory greeting card, I realized that my sentiments were not so much congratulatory as they were well wishes for the future and an affirmation that he will do well and go far. Thomas, is bright and hard working and I believe he will see his high school graduation not as the end of something, but as the beginning, or “commencement”, of a promising future; that his diploma is more than a confirmation of a job well done, but a conferring of responsibility to do something great.

While I was at the party, it occurred to me that it was my second event of the day to celebrate a “commencement”. The first was attending mass on Pentecost Sunday, the day on which the Apostles utilized the gifts of the Holy Spirit which had been conferred upon them in the upper room. It was the day they graduated from simply being disciples to becoming disciple-makers.

Unlike Thomas and other graduating seniors who will go on to college before they effectively utilize all that they’ve learned, the Apostles, didn’t waste any time. When the Holy Spirit descended on the Jews in Jerusalem, Peter became the first to accept the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19). With fortitude, he proclaimed the Gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ. When he was done, three thousand Jews converted.

Pentecost serves as a reminder to all of us Catholics that, by virtue of our own Baptism and Confirmation, we have the right and duty to utilize the gifts which the Holy Spirit has conferred upon us to discover how to bring the message of salvation to other people.

It’s doubtful that we will experience a noise like a strong driving wind, or tongues as of fire (Acts 2:2-3) that prompt us to take action, but we all do experience opportunities to begin the process of saving souls through Jesus. I’m not talking about evangelizing by standing on a street corner preaching through a bull horn. No, it’s much simpler than that. It begins with friendship and a love that desires good for the other person. And, there’s no greater good than to know Jesus Christ.

Our society today is starving for true friendship. We have what my friend, Dr. Mike Scherschligt of the Holy Family School of Faith, calls FDS – Friendship Deficit Syndrome. Virtual friendship through social media platforms isn’t working. Loneliness and depression caused by a lack of personal interaction and friendship are the leading causes of an alarming increase in suicides. People are lost. Many don’t know who they are or what they are. They don’t know what love is. They don’t know what brings happiness. And, they no longer know truth. They don’t know God. Souls are waiting to be saved through friendship.

Through friendship, meaningful conversation, and hospitality we build relationships. We get to know and understand each other and we build mutual trust. It takes time, but when a friendship develops to this level, the friend who is far away from our Lord is much more likely to accept an invitation from you to explore or go deeper in faith. The door is opened for you to arrange an encounter with Jesus. That encounter may come from inviting the person to a small group discussion, a bible study, to attend mass, spend an hour in Adoration, or pray a Rosary with you. As they get more comfortable, you walk as their companion on their journey while they establish their own relationship with Christ. It’s the ultimate win-win for everyone – they discover the love and mercy of our Lord, and you receive abundant graces for your effort.

It works. Two men, who, in honoring their duty, made it their mission to get to know me. They followed up by building a relationship with me based on trust. Then, they brought me to an encounter with Jesus. The rest is history.

“‘Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, enkindle in us the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit so that we may be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth.’ Lord, open our hearts to Your Spirit so that we, like the Apostles at Pentecost, will boldly step out of our comfort zones and graduate from simply being disciples to being disciple-makers. Amen.”

(Evangelization Begins with Friendship was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

©2013-2023 Reflections of a Lay Catholic. Reposting and sharing of material in its full and original content is permitted, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author(s) and Reflections of a Lay Catholic.

How Will You Let this Easter Change Your Life?

05 Monday Apr 2021

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Bible Reflections, Easter

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Acts 2:22-33, Confirmation, Easter, Fortitude, Pentecost, St. Vincent Ferrer

Happy Easter to you! I hope it was a day filled with joy.

Yesterday, we proclaimed, “Christ is risen!” For the faithful it is the day that brings eternal hope to our lives. It’s the day that reassures us there is a purpose to this life we live and all the struggles that accompany it so that one day we may be resurrected like Jesus and live with Him for eternity.

But, how do you feel today? Do you feel different than yesterday.? Or are you the same person you were a week, a month or a year ago? For many, you’ve returned to work or, in some way, returned to your daily habits. And, I’ll venture a guess, not all of those habits are completely virtuous. I know, I’m there with you.

This morning I set my alarm and arose an hour earlier than I have been the last couple weeks. A contractor was scheduled to show up early and begin remodeling the first floor of my house, and I wanted to make sure I had time for my morning prayer and meditation before they arrived. As I read the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2: 14, 22-33) about Peter’s speech at Pentecost to the Jews of Jerusalem, my attention was brought to the contrast between the Peter of today and the Peter of last week, who, out of fear, denied Jesus three times.

After the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter changed. He found courage to proclaim the name of Jesus and His death, and profess His resurrection to all of Jerusalem, even to those who were responsible for His crucifixion. I’m sure Peter was still the same in many ways – gruff and impetuous – but his timidity had been replaced with fortitude. He spoke boldly and with authority. He was no longer afraid to be associated with Jesus, rather, he rejoiced in the opportunity.

So I wondered how my life might change. Do I have what it takes to “proclaim Your death, O Lord, and profess Your resurrection” as I say every time I go to Mass? And, then I realized I do have what it takes. I was given the grace to be courageous in my faith when I received the Sacrament of Confirmation. If you’re a confirmed Catholic, then you were given that grace, too.

Well, it’s one thing to say I’m going to be more courageous, but it’s a whole ‘nuther thing to do it. Unsure exactly how I would do this today, I resolved to pray for the Lord to present me with an opportunity and, when He did, that I would rise to the occasion.

In the meantime, I decided to read about the saints of the day. Today is the feast day of St. Vincent Ferrer, a Dominican friar from the 14th Century. St. Vincent was a tremendous preacher who converted thousands throughout Europe. His efforts so built up the Church that he became the patron saint of those in the building trades.

As I finished reading about this great saint, there came a knock on my door. It was the contractor’s crew arriving to start work. We had a walk-around to show everyone the scope of the project and, then, as they were fetching their tools from their truck, it hit me: God had just presented me with the opportunity for which I had prayed. It was no mere coincidence that a crew of building tradesmen were beginning to work in my house on the feast day of their patron saint. And, so, as they all gathered back inside I asked them if they would mind if I prayed for their safety and to a successful project. I explained the connection with St. Vincent Ferrer, and they bowed their heads with me. I prayed, “Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunity to praise You and for the virtues of patience and perseverance that have brought us to begin this project. I pray for the intercession of St. Vincent Ferrer, that he watch over these workers and keep them safe from harm, and that this project goes smoothly and successfully. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.” And, then, in my mind I also prayed, “And, please, let their be no cost overruns!”

I love how God works for us when we love and trust in Him. Don’t let this Easter go to waste. Through prayer, place your love and trust in Him, and accept, realize and act on the grace of fortitude given to you in your Confirmation to proclaim the name of His Son, Jesus, to the rest of the world.

“Lord Jesus, thank You for this blessing today. I pray that, in our fallen society, this Easter season will bring a resurgence of hope to all Your faithful. Through the intercession of St. Vincent Ferrer, may a fortress of strength be built in our hearts such that we may all proudly and courageously proclaim Your death and resurrection. Amen.”

(How Will You Let this Easter Change Your Life? was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

©2013-2021 Reflections of a Lay Catholic. Reposting and sharing of material in its full and original content is permitted, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author(s) and Reflections of a Lay Catholic.