Episode Transcript  

One

The Missions of Peter and Paul

Today is the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, honoring the mission and martyrdom of the two greatest pillars of the early Church. Both gave their lives to evangelization. Since we carry the same obligation to spread the faith and build up the Church, it’s a good idea to consider how these two great missionaries did it. 

We tend to think of evangelization as something only for professionals. Well, at the time of Peter and Paul, there were no professionals. Peter was a fisherman, and Paul made tents. But Peter and Paul didn’t think of it that way. They were constantly evangelizing. That was what they did because it was who they were. They were Christians. 

Now, when your whole life, everything, is wrapped up in one thing, one idea, one person: how can you keep yourself from talking about it? How can the people around you not know about it?  

Two

So, what’s the first step to evangelization? 

Make your whole life about Jesus! Then you won’t be able to talk about anything without your faith coming into it, you’ll be constantly bringing up the Lord, because He’s part of everything you think and everything you do. In other words, the first step to evangelization is to be a real Christian.

What is a real Christian? A real Christian is someone who makes transforming union with God the goal of their life. They receive Jesus in the Eucharist as often as possible, because Holy Communion increases our union with Christ. Real Christians build a deep friendship with Christ in prayer, which takes time. There is no substitute for time alone with Him. Real Christians do everything possible to remove the vices in their lives and take on the virtues through daily resolutions, monthly confession, and a steady detachment from anything that holds them back from God.

Are we this kind of person? Are we truly living as Christians?

A few simple steps forward might be: Go to one more Mass each week. Pray the Rosary Podcast every day. Go to confession once a month. These are small steps, but they open wide the door to Christ.

Three

The Mission to the Jews – (and to Badly Formed Catholics)

Peter had a mission to the Jews and Paul to the Gentiles. (Galatians 2:7–8). And, in a sense, there’s a double task of evangelization today as well. The Jews represent those who mistakenly think they’re knowledgeable and living their faith. The Gentiles represent those completely outside the fold.

In the Acts of the Apostles, the greatest resistance came from those who were fellow Jews with the Apostles. They were content with what they had, and they didn’t want somebody calling them to live their own faith more perfectly, more consistently, more radically.

So too, we live in a Church where countless people in our own churches identify themselves as faithful Catholics; even though they never pray, they don’t know the Scriptures, they have very little reverence for the Sacraments, and they reject the moral and doctrinal teachings of the very Church they profess to be members of.

I was one of these kinds of people. Then a friend had the courage to do three things: He invited me to hang out and he got to know me better. I was living a very immoral life, but he offered me a book by William May entitled An Introduction to Moral Theology. I read it and I was mad! Not at the teaching, mad that no one had ever told me. But the most impactful thing he did was tell me that Mary, the Mother of God, was reported to be appearing in Medjugorje. That really God my attention. 

Medjugorje made me ask, “Has Mary appeared in other places?” Oh yes, Lourdes, Fatima, Akita, Kibeho, San Nicholas and many many more. Then it struck me, if the Mother of God is appearing, then she is real. If Mary is real, then Jesus is real. If Jesus is real, then everything has to change. And it did. That’s how I got here.

I know thousands upon thousands of complacent Catholics who were set on fire for Jesus through Mary. Tell folks that Our Lady is appearing, and that will get their attention. And when they say, “Tell me more.” Be ready!

Four

Mission to the Gentiles – (and to the Secular World)

Paul had a mission to the Gentiles. Since the Gentiles didn’t know the Bible, Paul couldn’t start with it. So, he began with what they already knew. It is no different today. It probably won’t work if we start by quoting Scripture to people. So, we start with what can be known by reason and by universal experience, that is, facts or insights that are accessible to everyone. That is what philosophy is. 

So as a Catholic, to be an effective missionary, we need to know how to help people make sense of their  experience, help them ask and answer the questions, “Where do we come from? Who made everything? Why is there order instead of chaos? Is there any purpose to human life?”

That kind of readiness takes some effort and some practice, but St. Peter tells us it’s our obligation to, “always be ready to give an answer to someone who asks us the reasons for the hope that is in us.” (I Peter 3).

And if we’re going to take the gospel to the world, we have to be willing to engage in those kinds of conversations. There is a wonderful little book that can get you prepared. It’s called “Thinking Clearly” by John Mark Miravalle.

Five

How to Begin Evangelizing Others

Start with listening, not talking. The best way to evangelize isn’t by telling people what you believe, it’s by asking good questions and genuinely getting to know them. People open up when they feel known, understood, and loved. If I sense that you really care about me, I’ll let you ask me anything—even challenge me. But if you don’t know me, I won’t trust you with the deeper questions. That means we have to spend time with people, not just once, but consistently.

Look at the people already in your life. Who has God already placed near you? Your spouse, children, in-laws, grandkids, aging parents, friends, coworkers? Choose a small circle to invest in. Don’t try to reach everyone. Commit to a few people God has placed in your life.

Spend intentional time with them. Get to know them one-on-one and in small group settings. Invite them regularly to: Share meals, go for coffee or drinks, meet for dessert or a walk in the park. Build real friendships. Show them that you truly care. Let them know you enjoy being with them. Listen well. Delight in who they are. This builds trust.

Be patient, but ready. As relationships deepen, people will begin to ask questions or show spiritual curiosity. When they do, be ready to answer their questions or offer to pray the Rosary with them, or help them prepare for confession and then go with them, or go to Mass together. When the moment comes, don't hold back.
The Holy Spirit has been at work. Trust the Spirit. Step forward with love and confidence.

Suggested Resolutions:

Choose one resolution for today to help you grow closer to God, or create your own. Here are some ideas to inspire you. 

• No matter what, the first step to evangelization is spending time in silent prayer, asking God to guide you in your actions. Commit to thirty minutes of silent meditation a day and spend time reflecting on your particular call to serve others.

• Take the next step and invite someone to pray a Rosary with you, even if they’re already someone who prays the Rosary often.

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