Be An Evangelist 

   “Preach the Gospel at all times.  Use words when necessary.” (St. Francis of Assisi) 

   The above quote speaks eloquently to the life of St. Francis.  After his conversion he lived his life in poverty, seeking only to preach the gospel by his own life.  He advised his followers to do the same.  We don’t have to be Franciscans to believe that this is the way we can best preach the gospel as well.

   In a sermon St. Augustine once offered the prayer, “Help me Lord, to be the sort of person someone else should imitate.”  He wasn’t asking for recognition or fame, but only that he could live his life for God, hoping others might follow his example.

   As Christians we are all called to be evangelists.  Like the apostles, we are to preach the gospel to the world, or at least our small corner of it.  However, most of us do not have the have the knowledge or the talent to formally evangelize others.  We would, in all likelihood, fall easy prey to an atheist knowledgeable in the ways to twist the gospel to their own evil uses.

   Still, by following the advice of St. Francis and St. Augustine, we can be evangelists.  By living our life for God, loving Him and our neighbors, we too can preach the gospel.  When we pray, asking for His help to serve Him, He will answer our prayer.  In this way, we can help others come to know God and be the evangelists we are all called to be.