What do you think is the most important tool in evangelizing?

[jmcrae]

Originally Posted by French_Catholic

Again: this is an apocrypha quotation. You have to use words to evangelize. If you don't, you're not evangelizing: you're just hoping that people are going to notice that you're a nice person and evangelize themselves!


http://frenchandcatholic.wordpress.com/

I agree that this quote is often used to absolve people of their Christian duty to proclaim the Word of God in season and out of season - however, it is also true that if we are lacking inner joy and inner peace in our proclamation of the Gospel, then it is for nothing, since what we want to do in our proclaiming is to let people know where the depth of our peace and joy is coming from. Also, if one is a notorious sinner, then one's proclamation of the Gospel would be made void - we have to live what we proclaim.

But, for sure, no one can hope to stand in the same heaven as the Martyrs, if he is afraid of what people might think.

[Edward H]

Originally Posted by French_Catholic

Again: this is an apocrypha quotation. You have to use words to evangelize. If you don't, you're not evangelizing: you're just hoping that people are going to notice that you're a nice person and evangelize themselves!


http://frenchandcatholic.wordpress.com/

Actually, no. There's a whole other approach to evangelizing..it's really more aptly named apostolate. One can engage in an apostolate by being a cheerful, generous, constant friend to people. In fact, there's a strong argument that unless you're a friend to someone, you have no business evangelizing. The transcendent matters are so personal and important, most if not nearly all "evangelizing" to people not your friends, actually has the opposite effect.

Be an available, constant, hard working, cheerful, well-equipped, confident friend..and slowly over even years your friends will ask you about your peace and your joy.

And it's actually their initiating approach that moves their heart more. It's their choice to ask. So they are naturally a bit more receptive.

Sure, you may then use words to describe your joy, your prayer life, your faith, your knowledge of God, but the hard work has already been done. The ground has been prepared all without words.

[PRmerger]

Scratching someone where he itches.

So if someone is a Bible-Alone Christian, use the Bible, alone, to evangelize.

If someone eschews Scripture for the empirical evidence of science, use science.

If someone is hungry for beauty, take him to a Cathedral.

etc etc etc

[French_Catholic]

Originally Posted by Edward H

One can engage in an apostolate by being a cheerful, generous, constant friend to people. In fact, there's a strong argument that unless you're a friend to someone, you have no business evangelizing.

I beg to differ.

[Edward H]

Originally Posted by French_Catholic

I beg to differ.

Feel free. I've been doing it for years with considerable success.

http://www.catholicity.com/mccloskey...gconverts.html

[fred conty]

We often speak of prayer as the most important point in anyone's conversion, whether a catholic's or someone else. St. Francis preached to catholics. That is where he started and ended. There are so many catholics that need conversion. And wouldn't we all agree that it starts with each one of us first. How can anyone want to share unless they first see themselves as the most fortunate person in the world to have this gift. The way that is accomplished is when God gives us this appreciation. We first must look into ourselves.
Do I really appreciate what I have? If you do, your ready. Otherwise, do some self searching. No salesman sells what he dosen't first believe in. Take inventory of your life.
If you don't believe it, you certainly won't "sell" it to anyone else.

However, one of the things that has been way overlooked in evangelization is our sacramentals. A sacramental has the approval and blessing of the official church, which stands behind it. We know the devil fears and hates sacramentals from what the exorcists have been saying forever. Especially the image of Mary, the demons have a great fear of her.

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/ne...is-experience/
Here is a testimony of an actual priest exorcist when he is doing an exorcism.

"It is also possible to 'throw in things just to humiliate the demon,' such as invoking the presence of saints, guardian angels and – most feared of all – Our Lady. It is then that 'you can really see that there is a change in the behavior of the demon.'”


http://www.regnumchristi.org/english...&ca=118&te=782
Here is another priest exorcist giving testimony of Mary.

"At the end, the priest says to the demon, 'Go away! Disappear!' The demon usually answers, 'No, I don´t want to.' It rebels and revolts. Sometimes it says 'You have no power over me. You are nothing to me.' But after a while, its resistance weakens. This usually happens after the invocation of the Holy Mother, she´s very important for that. No demon ever dares to insult her during an exorcism. Never."

"Does he have more respect for Mary than for God himself? "

"Apparently. Otherwise no holds are barred, and everyone is insulted: the priests, everyone present, the bishops, the Pope, even Jesus Christ. But never the Virgin Mary. It´s an enigma."

In addition Mary has given us a sacramental, the Green Scapular. Here is what stands behind this scapular:
.. Conversion of those who do not have the faith
.. Reconciliation to the Church for those who have lost/strayed from the faith
.. Assurance of a happy death
.. Strengthening of the faith for those already in the Church
.. Protection from Satan for those who wear or promote the scapular

If you are on familiar terms with the person, give it to them and ask them to put it in their wallet or purse. If they are somewhat interested in the catholic faith to begin with,
this shouldn't be a problem. Then say the prayer every day, "Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death." Once for them and once for yourself.

Mary said if you give it to them and you believe what she said, then the graces will correspond to your belief in her obtaining them. Why would we ever doubt her words?
And here are her very own words:

"The GREATEST graces come from using the scapular but these graces come
in direct proportion to the degree of CONFIDENCE IN ME which the user has."

If you can use it, then do so because she wishes it to be done. It is her gift to help.
If anyone can get the job done, she can.

Now she didn't say "when" she would do it. And she didn't lay any other conditions down.
She will do it, just trust her.

A free green scapular can be obtained by googling "green scapular".
Get one for yourself too.

"Great graces are often attached to what seems trifling." St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

[French_Catholic]

Originally Posted by Edward H

Feel free. I've been doing it for years with considerable success.

http://www.catholicity.com/mccloskey...gconverts.html

I've been converting people (not just friends) since my early teens. And I've always used words.


http://frenchandcatholic.wordpress.com/

[French_Catholic]

Originally Posted by fred conty

There are so many catholics that need conversion.

True

[QuickCat]

Originally Posted by Edward H

Feel free. I've been doing it for years with considerable success.

http://www.catholicity.com/mccloskey...gconverts.html

When one has the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior there is such as joy in his heart that he desires to share the "good news" of salvation with others. As ambassadors for the Lord Jesus Christ we are bound to preach the word of reconciliation - 2 Cor. 5:16-21

It is this heart felt joy that the saved person wants others to have also.

Grace and Peace,

QC

[PJM]

=Lady Love;9514616]Although, I believe it is important to has logical, rational, reasonable explanations for our faith but I think charity and compassion are the most important. I have to remind myself that the devil is my enemy not human beings. Human beings are my brother and sister, valued at the high price of Jesus' body and blood.

I sang a funeral today and there was a row of obviously homosexuals in the pew. I had such love and compassion for them. I thought" Here is a sinner, just like me, here is one who needs Jesus so desperately, just like me, here is one who is deceived, confused, searching, longing, needing, just like me. Here is one who fears the rejection of God, just like me. Here is one that Jesus wants, just like me." I thought of the scripture, "While you were still in your sin, Jesus died for you." I wanted to go up to them, hug them and tell them how happy I was that they were at Mass with me (I was singing so I couldn't). In them, I saw my wounded Jesus, often rejected, weak, shunned, and I loved them.

I thought of how scary it might be to be asked to leave everything behind. To leave all that gives you a sense of security, identity and acceptance and to abandon that which you think makes you feel loved to live a life of indefinite chastity. Very scary, I think.

I sang. I sang my heart out for love of them, trying desperately to translate the love that Jesus has for them, a love so magnanimous that it would convince them to take a leap of faith. Even if the leap was only an inch for one inch closer to God is...closer to God.

Jesus, draw all of us with bleeding and broken hearts closer to you. Do not let us make our sin a barrier to receiving your love and being transformed by it. Do not let us get discouraged by our feeble efforts, our weakness of faith, our fears, our low self-worth, for we are so far from perfection. I see your mountain of perfection, with its steep climbs and sheer faces of rock. I look at myself with broken legs, broken arms, a broken heart and a broken spirit and get discouraged. If you do not come a rescue me I should be lost forever! You, Lord did descend from heaven to me for I could never reach you, Thank you. Thank you, Thank you.

We DON"T make the laws of God; we keep them!

Love the sinner BUT HATE the sin!

The BEST way to share our faith????

KNOW IT

LIVE IT publically

Share it when God gives us the opportunity

Thanks for your music ministry!