OCIA Session 29 Supplement - Evangelization & Community - Inviting others, sharing faith

Evangelization & Community - Inviting others, sharing faith

Once you have received the sacraments and begun your new life in the Church, the mission does not stop with you. In fact, it is just beginning. To be Catholic is to be a missionary disciple, someone who not only follows Christ but also helps others encounter Him. Evangelization is not about forcing religion on people or memorizing speeches. It is about living in such a way that people see Christ alive in you and are drawn to Him. Jesus gave this mission to every one of us when He said in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Evangelization begins in simple, ordinary ways. It begins with your family, your friends, your co-workers, and your neighbors. It is sharing your story - how Christ has touched your life and what the Church has meant to you. Your testimony is powerful because it is real. You don’t need a theology degree to share your faith. The Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 had only just met Jesus, and she immediately ran back to her town saying, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” (John 4:29). Because of her witness, many came to believe. Your story, too, can help others believe.

But evangelization is not only about words - it is about actions. St. Francis of Assisi is often quoted as saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.” People are more likely to be moved by how you live than by what you say. When you live with joy, kindness, patience, and love, others will notice. When you forgive instead of holding grudges, when you serve the poor, when you stand up for what is right, you shine with the light of Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Evangelization is letting your light shine.

Community is also essential. Faith is not meant to be lived in isolation. We need each other to grow, to encourage one another, and to serve together. The Acts of the Apostles shows us the early Church gathering daily to pray, to break bread, and to share everything in common (Acts 2:42-47). Their community life was itself a form of evangelization - people saw their love and wanted to be part of it. When the Church lives as a true family, it attracts others to Christ.

Here’s a humor break: some Catholics think evangelization means knocking on doors with pamphlets, and they get nervous just imagining it. But evangelization can be as simple as inviting someone to Mass, sharing a favorite prayer, or posting something uplifting about your faith online. It doesn’t require a soapbox or a megaphone - it just requires a willing heart.

Take time to reflect: who in your life might be waiting for an invitation? Is there someone who has drifted away from the Church? Someone searching for meaning? Someone who admires your faith but doesn’t know how to begin? Ask the Holy Spirit to place people on your heart and to give you the courage to reach out.

Here’s your practical challenge: this week, share your faith in one concrete way. Invite someone to Sunday Mass. Share a Bible verse or prayer with a friend. Offer to pray for someone going through a hard time - and then actually do it. Or share your OCIA journey with someone who might be curious. Small invitations can have eternal impact.

In closing, remember this: evangelization is not a special mission for a select few - it is the call of every baptized Catholic. The Church does not grow by programs alone but by witnesses, by ordinary people like you sharing the extraordinary love of Christ. Next time, we will celebrate our final session together - a sending forth, a commissioning to live your faith fully as disciples in the world. Until then, keep your light shining, keep your heart open, and remember that you might be the reason someone else discovers the joy of the Gospel.