Spread the Word

   “The greatest obstacle in the apostolate of the Church is the timidity or rather the cowardice of the faithful.”  St. Pope Pius X 

   At the close of each Mass the faithful are encouraged to go forth and share the gospel.  We are to be evangelists, spreading the good news wherever we go.  Do we take that calling seriously, or do we restrict our faith to the time we spend in Mass?

   How are we to spread the gospel, to share the good news?  Apologetics, the defense of the faith, is not something most of us are trained to do.  But we can all live our life as a witness to God.  We can spread the word in the way we treat people, the love and caring we show for others.

   Do we know our faith well?  If not, we need to learn, to study so that we can share the truth, not opinion.  Are we certain of what we believe?  Statistics say that many Catholics no longer believe in the real presence in the Eucharist.  If we aren’t convinced, how can we convince others?  To spread a misconception or false teaching is worse than saying nothing at all.

   Are we strong in our faith?  It takes a certain strength to publicly display our faith to others.  Especially in a society that increasingly tries to eliminate God and faith in the public forum.  Persecution of Christianity is growing and becoming more virulent.  Are we willing to step into the breach and take a stand for God?

   So, how can we evangelize?  We can wear our crucifix and religious medals in plain view, we can greet others with a smile rather than ignoring them.  If God is in our life we can let His light shine through us.  When asked we can share why we believe what we believe.

   We are to be evangelists.  We are the voice and face of God in a corrupt and sinful world.  If we are unwilling to live as the children of God in all circumstances we are unworthy of the title Christian.