The most important part of being a Christian is having a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. I know it sounds pretty basic, but for us it really touched our hearts. It’s not rare to find Christians involved in ministry and serving in the Church, but who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus.
How can you as a disciple share the love of Jesus Christ if you don’t truly know Him?
It is for this reason that you must strive to share your stories with others. You might think that your personal faith journey doesn’t relate to anyone else, but it does. By opening up and sharing what you have been through and the intimate experiences that you’ve had with Jesus, others will come to want that same relationship with Jesus as you have. This is the best way for you to share the love of Jesus with others. As St. Frances Cabrini said:
“I will go anywhere and do anything in order to communicate the love of Jesus to those who do not know Him or have forgotten Him.”
Often times we think of evangelization as walking down the streets with a megaphone or going door-to-door preaching the Gospel, but we as Christians are living examples of the Good News. Of course the scriptures and the Church are additional tools that help us in this mission, but we are those who can share the message of hope with those who need it. St. Francis Xavier once said:
“Many, many people hereabouts are not becoming Christians for one reason only: there is nobody to make them Christians.”
As Catholic Christians sometimes we think it is the duty of the priests and the nuns and those “religious people” to proclaim the Good News. Their job is to encourage us to go out and be the salt and light to the world. But it is we who must take what they teach to us and share with our friends, family, and all who cross our path. It is we who as Christians must share the story of what Jesus has done for us with those who do not know him or have forgotten about him. Just as we read in the Gospel of Matthew 5:13-16:
“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
Jesus does not do all he does for us so we can keep it to ourselves, rather he does it so we will tell others about him. As a baptized Christian you are meant to give testimony and witness of the great things Christ has done for you personally and also for all of humanity. His death is a sacrifice as St. Paul says in today’s Mass reading, “Try, then, to imitate God as children of his that he loves and follow Christ loving as he loved you, giving himself up in our place as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God.” In a sense Jesus asks us to give up ourselves as well, by living our lives for him.
And it’s important that we practice what we preach. You must be a living example of that which Jesus taught. Through not just your words, but through your actions you can proclaim the Good News. You can be like Christ to these people who haven’t come to know him yet. What joy it brings to live for the Lord!
How to Talk About Jesus Without Freaking Out
If you want to share the love of Jesus with others, but you find yourself embarrassed or shy or you just don’t know what to say, it’s not hopeless. I had the same problem! First, pray that God give you the courage. Second, I recommend a book called How to Talk About Jesus Without Freaking Out. This book goes into detail about the different situations that can arise and the importance of evangelization in an easy-to-read, practical manner.