What if I Don't Know Enough?

October 7, 2022 |  NEW MINDS


Imagine this scenario. A friend says to you, “I have this wonderful restaurant I encountered but I don’t know how to make the recipes on the menu, the names of the employees, or the history of the owners. I would share it with you, but I worry I just don’t have all the details so I’m not going to tell you about it.” This exaggerated scenario demonstrates how we complicate sharing the Good News of Our Lord by thinking we don’t know enough. The encounter of the Lord is enough to share! This is where you start. No one knows your experience more than you. Just as you share your loved experience at the favorite restaurant, you share your own encounter with God.


· His presence in our lives gives purpose and meaning to our lives.

· Our lives are blessed by His love.

· The door of heaven, an eternity with Him, was opened to us because of his death and resurrection.


This is the just start of the conversation! Share how God has moved in your life. If you don’t have all the answers, be honest and look to find them. Every single Catholic has room for continued growth and the Church gives us many incredible resources to help us feel more prepared.


· The Catechism of the Catholic Church (You can get your own copy or find it for free online here. )

· The Bible (If you don’t have a Bible with you, you can always look online here.)

· Formed.org is a great online resource with faith-based study programs, books, and videos. (Many parishes offer free subscriptions, but if yours doesn’t you can learn more here.)

· Bible studies and different faith formation opportunities offered through parishes


In Joy of the Gospel, paragraph 23, Pope Francis reminds us to boldly share our Christian journey:


The Church’s closeness to Jesus is part of a common journey; “communion and mission are profoundly interconnected”. In fidelity to the example of the Master, it is vitally important for the Church today to go forth and preach the Gospel to all: to all places, on all occasions, without hesitation, reluctance or fear. The joy of the Gospel is for all people: no one can be excluded. That is what the angel proclaimed to the shepherds in Bethlehem: “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people (Lk 2:10). The Book of Revelation speaks of “an eternal Gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tongue and tribe and people” (Rev 14:6).

In all the baptized, from first to last, the sanctifying power of the Spirit is at work, impelling us to evangelization. The people of God is holy thanks to this anointing, which makes it infallible in credendo. This means that it does not err in faith, even though it may not find words to explain that faith. The Spirit guides it in truth and leads it to salvation. As part of his mysterious love for humanity, God furnishes the totality of the faithful with an instinct of faith – sensus fidei – which helps them to discern what is truly of God. The presence of the Spirit gives Christians a certain connaturality with divine realities, and a wisdom which enables them to grasp those realities intuitively, even when they lack the wherewithal to give them precise expression.

Joy of the Gospel 119

Not only does the Holy Father prompt us to share the Joy of the Gospel, but so does Our Lord Jesus Christ. There are far too many people who have not experienced their own encounter with the Lord. Catholics are not only reminded to tell others, but we are also reminded we do not go alone. Perhaps the Lord has put you where you are so you can evangelize (share the Good News of God’s presence in the world) to those specific people in your little part of the world.


Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

 Matthew 28:19-20

Trending


Article

Hospitaltiy Matters

What happens the first time a new person walks through the doors of your church?  MAY 1, 2022 | NEW METHODS

Article
The Primacy of Prayer 

It's impossible to be a missionary disciple without a prayer life.  May 15, 2022 | NEW HEARTS

Video Series
Evangelization 101

Learn the basics of how to be a missinary disciples with our Evangelizaiton 101 Series!   March 25, 2022 | NEW MINDS

Contact Us

Archdiocese of St Louis
20 Archbishop May Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63119
(314) 792-7005

Follow Us



Built by Experience Fresh