-
On Focus
-
 
-
- Picture this: A
well-dressed man with eyes closed, emphatically gesturing and in a
spirited voice quoting Bible verses (yes, he’s holding a Bible!)
at the speed of a hundred and one word per minute. Or, imagine a
saintly-looking cleric holding his listeners enthralled by every word
that he utters. Either way, the image illustrates our stereotype
(mine at least) of what an evangelist is.
-
- Next, let’s
replace that image with a familiar face – OUR OWN. Now you can stop
imagining…
-
- Instead,
understand once again that proclaiming the Gospel is not the exclusive
domain of the priests and other religious. We may define ourselves by
our jobs or professions – as accountants, teachers, doctors or
engineers; or our state of life – as husband, wife, father, mother, son,
daughter, brother or sister, and accordingly lead lives in line with
the duties and responsibilities our stature entails. But essentially,
we are tasked to be builders of God’s Kingdom here on earth… to bring
others to Christ. That is our divine-commissioned job! All the other
“earthly” jobs we have are but the means we are given or the state we
are placed in to fulfill our part in this mission of evangelization.
-
- Yes, YOU and I are
called to evangelize! But how? Let me share with you some thoughts as
we continue breaking down our stereotype.
-
- I think sharing
the Good News of God’s mercy and love to others does not always mean
talking (till your throat is sore!) Because how can the verbally
challenged participate in this mission? Or how will we reach out to the
(literally and figuratively) hearing-impaired? I believe we do
not need to be as eloquent as polished orators (though it can’t be
denied that it could be a plus!) but articulate enough to be able to
convey God’s message of salvation. And not necessarily verbatim from the
Bible, although sufficient knowledge and understanding of the basic
truths of our faith I suppose is a must!
-
- Evangelizing boils
down somehow to effective communication. So, if we can’t talk well, we
could write (wanted: GNB contributors!); or we could pray
(especially for those who are oblivious to our efforts!); or we
could listen (especially when we are first establishing
relationships); or we could simply be our worth-emulating selves and
hope others will see Christ in us. Certainly, there are a lot of other
ways. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, evangelization for
us lay people “acquires a specific property and
peculiar efficacy because it is accomplished in the ordinary
circumstances of the world.”
-
- Nonetheless, there
is no amount of zeal that can make another person respond to our
evangelization efforts without the power of the Holy Spirit. When
things are not working the way we want or expect them to be, let’s not
lose heart; instead allow the Holy Spirit to wield His power. After
all, while we do not deny that our efforts matter provided that
they are obedient responses to God’s promptings and will,
it is ultimately not by our efforts, but by God’s grace, that we are
able to evangelize.
-
- Lastly, let me
leave you with this idea of evangelism I read (which stuck somehow
because I’m partial to bridges), expressed in the words of one
native to a missionary:
“You built a bridge of love between your heart and my heart, and Jesus
walked over."
-
- All Glory to God!
- TELL US LIKE IT IS!
- Has
something wonderful and unique happened in your life lately? Did God
answer your prayer in a very unexpected way? Did you, like Isaiah, meet
God’s whisper?
- Have you felt His
powerful hand working in your life recently?
- Everyday, people
are experiencing God’s mighty Word in their lives and it is a pity that
very few know about it. Do you have a story to tell? Some Good News to
share?
- E-mail us (genesis@catholic.org) or fax us
(021-6627384), and tell us about it. That’s right! You don’t have to be
a great writer to do this. We can help you write it – just tell us like
it is!
- Don’t forget to
write the subject: “Let Me Tell You A Story”
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moment to sign our guestbook.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
HIS Servant
by Bro. Pete Lapid
Our Faith
By Fr. KJ Veeger, MSC
Place of Refuge
By Philip Yuson
Surabaya Corner
By Ramon Martillano
The Living Spirit
By Fr. Martinus S., PR
Community Life ~ Here's the Latest
By Pinky Torres
Genesis Chronicles
By Loren Sanchez
G* Kidspace
By Tintin Magbitang
Straight from the Heart
By Carolle Bautista
God Answers Prayers
By Beth Manibog
enesis Mailbox
On Focus
By Sansu Garin
Saint for the Month
Source: Catholic Online
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