It's Always Planting Season
Though I may struggle with the “how-to,” I am beginning to accept that every day of the year is perfect for planting seeds. Obviously, this does not hold true for vegetables and plants unless you have a greenhouse or a better climate than central Illinois. But it certainly pertains to seeds of hope and faith and example that we can sow in the lives of others any and every day.
Knowing Jesus is life altering. This relationship empowers each of us to be a change for good in someone else’s life. We are called to share our faith and Christ-light. Speak it in words, in action, in hospitality and acts of kindness and service. Whatever love language you favor, make it known.
I know I am preaching to an already-evangelizing choir, dear Faith Friday readers! So many of you are already uber-volunteers in your parishes and communities. You are part of Bible studies, give your time to food pantries and sewing circles. You comfort the sick and grieving. You clean the church and feed the hungry at all kinds of events. You have prayer lists and pray daily for others. We see you. We hear you. We know you. We need you. You are evangelizers and we appreciate you!
With the Peoria Diocese Growing Disciple initiative, we are hearing more and more about the need to empower evangelization. It is one of the Five Foundations, along with inspiring Discipleship, awareness of Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist, strengthening Vocations and continuing the legacy of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Through these Five Foundations, Growing Disciples seeks to bring about renewal in the 155 parishes of our 26-county diocese.
Evangelization happens when the word of Jesus speaks to people’s hearts and minds. As Bishop Tylka wrote in his Pentecost 2023 letter, “Evangelization is the ‘big word’ that essentially means sharing our faith. We share with others our experience of the encounter with Jesus so that they too may seek the same encounter.” Bishop Lou went on to remind us that “the Holy Spirit evangelizes through us and uses us as his instruments.” We must work “to transform our parishes into evangelization centers: places where people can come for the authentic experience of meeting Jesus.” And in order to go that extra mile “we must be willing to go out to meet people.” (The Catholic Post 5.28.2023)
Let me address that last sentence and freely admit that I question whether I have the confidence, the right words or enough background education for one-on-one encounters. Sometimes, by the grace of God, I do. What I firmly believe is that we are each called to find a method of evangelizing that can be a comfortable/natural, “jumping off” point for sharing the importance of our faith. That’s not to say that God won’t push our boundaries at times!
We certainly evangelize by example in living Christ-centered lives. Pope Francis has said that “Evangelization does not begin by seeking to convince others, but by bearing witness each day to the love that has watched over us and lifted us back up.”
I see this concept expressed weekly in our Faith Friday meditations. Alison created this format in 2019. After a year of sharing her faith as the sole writer of weekly articles, she generously invited (evangelized!) others to become contributors. We have no special experience in writing or theology. Relying on faith, prayers, and lots of trust in the Holy Spirit’s power to inspire, we continue to commit to this Faith Friday ministry. Thank you for supporting and encouraging our evangelization efforts!
As much as we grow in faith through gifts of grace, prayer, study, and action, we need the best efforts of each of us to help others do the same. Help someone know your Jesus.
What seeds might the Holy Spirit be nudging you to plant?
