The Foundation of Proclamation of the Gospel is Prayer

This Christmas  we again celebrate and give thanks that the Son of God and son of the Virgin Mary came into our world to save us and give us eternal life. This is the greatest gift we can receive, so great we cannot really grasp its infinite goodness. In order to bring this gift of salvation and eternal life to all human beings, Jesus final command to us was: "Go out to the whole, proclaim the good news, etc." Because of your generous help, our lay evangelist are able to proclaim the gospel, teach the catechumens Jesus' teaching and lead them to Baptism.

Many of our benefactors ask how they themselves can proclaim the gospel better.  Today I will share with you what the experience of our most fruitful lay evangelists teaches me: the foundation of proclamation of the gospel is prayer.  It is through prayer that we come to know Jesus whom we proclaim and understand His teachings. Through prayer we experience that "each day He is with us."  I have discovered that most of our most fruitful evangelists are those who pray the most.  These lay evangelist pray two to three hours many days, if they face difficult situations they begin novenas (some are always making a novena for some cause!), they make an eight day retreat each year.  They use many different methods of prayer: Ignatian contemplation and meditation, lectio divina, Carmalite contemplation, rosary, novenas, and, of course, constant petitionary prayer for their catechumens.  The anchor of their prayer is the rosary and adoration of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

So if you want to proclaim the gospel better, evangelize better, pray more. Especially pray for the  conversion of your non-Catholic family members, friends and co-workers.  To evangelize you must first love the non-Catholic you hope to bring closer to Jesus Christ.  Praying for them is really loving them with God's love, charity.  To start, ask the Holy Spirit for five names from among the non-Catholics you know.  Then each day ask God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to bless each one's health, bless their families, bless their work and most important to give them graces of Faith and conversion to Jesus. Make this prayer many times each day. You can also offer the Rosary for them and especially offer Masses for them. After you pray for them like this every day for 3-6 months, you will have a new relationship with them; because now God will be part of your relationship.  Get to know them again in this new relationship of you, them and God.  Then serve them, help them if God gives you such an opportunity.  If God gives you good opportunity, share your faith with them; share how God and Jesus have helped you, blessed you in your life.  Remember, if you help lead a family member, or friend, or co-worker to know and love Jesus, you are sharing in God giving him or her the greatest possible gift: eternal life. (Fr. Lou Aldrich S.J.)