Finding Your Way to Evangelize: A Humble Yes to the Holy Spirit
But the LORD answered me, Say not, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD. ~Jer 1:7-8
Today is the solemnity of St. John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus, and preparer of the way for the coming of Christ.
It’s a phrase we hear after Mass has ended: Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord. I admit I haven’t thought much about how it applies to my daily life. Maybe I can take this opportunity to do so.
We might not be called to the same mission as St. John the Baptist, but we are definitely called to give witness to the faith. What would my life look like if I took the calling to spread the good news seriously? What approach would I take? Who do I have to become to do so? Am I ready to deal with the consequences?
St. John didn’t hold back when it came to holding people accountable. The world thought of him as a crazy person. His followers saw beyond appearances and grasped the truth.
When it comes to influential figures, we tend to think they are built differently and there’s no way we can be like them. We analyze the situation with human eyes and forget it’s not our job to be in control. We miss the nuance in Luke 1:15: “…and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.”
While we may not be filled with the Holy Spirit within our mother’s womb, we are most certainly anointed with the Holy Spirit when we are confirmed into the Church. The bishop anoints the confirmand with the Sacred Chrism and says: “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Jeremiah wasn’t naturally persuasive or ready, and John didn’t rely on human popularity or eloquence. Their impact didn’t come from their own capabilities, but from allowing the Holy Spirit to work through them.
I can’t say there is a right way to prepare the way for the Lord to enter someone’s life. I cannot claim to be great at spreading the good news. But, I have faith there’s a way that works for each of us and it’s our responsibility to, with the help of the Holy Spirit, identify it and apply it whenever possible.
Maybe we could start this journey by asking St. John for help.
“O Saint John, who with absolute fidelity fulfilled the mission for which you were sent by God, teach us to listen for the voice of God above the noise of the world, and grant us the courage to obey His call with a humble and quiet heart. Amen.
In peace,
~Juan
