On Mission | Go evangelize poorly

I love the quote from G.K. Chesterton: “If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly.” As we train people trying to get better at sharing the faith across the Archdiocese of St. Louis, I often end by saying “go evangelize poorly.” 

And I mean it. 

If the options are to not evangelize at all or to evangelize poorly, I will take evangelizing poorly all day long. In the last few years we have witnessed an incredible desire in our local Church to evangelize. Many Catholics are asking how they can be a part of God’s plan for renewal and revival in the archdiocese. The formula I like to use is that in order to evangelize we need conviction, confidence and courage. 

• Conviction that the Gospel message is real — that knowing Jesus matters — both for our time here on earth and for eternity. 
• Confidence in how to talk about the teachings of the Church and what God has done (and is doing) in our own lives.
• Courage to speak when we don’t feel like we have the answers or know what the outcome will be; to pray and trust in the Holy Spirit to be the agent of conversion.

As we know from research, most Catholics don’t have confidence that they are equipped to evangelize (just 0.06%, according to the Dynamic Catholic study by Matthew Kelly). Unfortunately, this often stops us from taking the first step in sharing the faith — and leaves us with regret, not knowing what could have happened if we had been bold in sharing the faith.

Throughout the Scriptures and the history of the Church we read about people who may have been inadequate in the eyes of the world, but who trusted in God’s plan and providence by simply saying yes and letting God act in and through them. 

• Abraham and Sarah were too old, but Abraham made a covenant with God and is our father of faith.
• Moses was a murderer, but God used him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt to freedom.
• Jeremiah was too young, but he still said yes and preached repentance in a time of despair.
• Jonah had no hope that people could change, yet he went to Nineveh (even if reluctantly) and converted many.
• St. Peter denied Jesus three times before he became our first pope and gave his life as a martyr.
• The apostles hid in the upper room in fear, but then received the Holy Spirit and preached at Pentecost where thousands were converted.
• St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, one of the patrons of our archdiocese, didn’t even speak the language of those she was sent to evangelize. After many months of faithful witness, she became known as “the woman who prays always” and inspired many to convert. 

Each time the story ends with God moving in powerful and often unexpected ways. Do we think that God won’t continue to act now through us, even if we don’t feel ready? 

We can’t let our shortcomings define us — that is why God gave us the sacrament of reconciliation. When we ask for forgiveness, we are given the grace to start anew each time we fail.

Any good confession starts with an examination of conscience — where we look at the areas of our life where we’ve failed and discern where God is calling us to unite ourselves to Him more closely. 

The related concept of a daily evangelizer’s examen can help us be aware of how we respond to God’s call to be disciples who make disciples. Go evangelize poorly, and then ask God for the grace each day to more perfectly follow Him and make Him known. 

Evangelizer’s Examen

Conviction

• Have I had a profound encounter with Jesus Christ and given my life to Him?
• Do I continue to encounter Jesus each day in prayer and the sacraments?
• Do I remember the graces of these encounters in daily prayer and in my daily life?
• Do I believe that others need to experience the saving love of Jesus?
• Do I live each day like Jesus matters?
• Do I have urgency in sharing Jesus with others?
• Do I genuinely love the people I feel called to evangelize or am I motivated by a desire to change them?

Confidence

• Have I prayerfully reflected on the graces I receive from God each day? 
• Am I aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence in my life?
• Have I trusted that the Holy Spirit will provide for what I lack?
• Do I trust that God can use my story to impact others?
• Have I tried to grow in my understanding of the Catholic faith so I can share it with others?
• Have I tried to better understand the people I am trying to share the faith with?

Courage

• Do I pray every day? Do I pray every day for those people I feel called to evangelize?
• Did I ask the Holy Spirit to lead me to opportunities to share Jesus today?
• What opportunities did I miss today to share Jesus with others? 
• Do I seek out situations where I can effectively share the Gospel with others?
• How can I be more honest and accountable with those whom I share everyday life?
• How is God calling me to speak, even when I don’t feel ready?