Getting Radical for New Evangelization

I used to take today's Gospel reading for granted as just another story about Jesus' power to heal the sick until I heard a reflection online or on Catholic radio. The priest who was speaking pointed out that it was the faith and craziness of the paralytic's friends that moved Christ to heal the man.

Here's my take on it. The paralytic man had four close friends who had been following Jesus. They knew in their hearts (and perhaps their minds) that He was the Messiah, that he could fix their friend. They cared so much for their friend that they ripped off the roof of the dwelling so they lowered him down and in front of Jesus. I want you to really picture that – four guys climbing a ladder with a make shift stretcher and then tearing up the top of the house to get their friend in to see Jesus. That is indeed radical evangelization.

What are we doing to bring our friends and family to one that can not only heal the body, but the soul?

How can you get radical in bringing your friends and family to Christ?

Why Do We Need Community?

NFCM

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up. And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12).

Man is wired to be part of society to be part of a community. Aristotle made this observation:

Man is by nature a social animal; an individual who is unsocial naturally and not accidentally is either beneath our notice or more than human. Society is something that precedes the individual. Anyone who either cannot lead the common life or is so self-sufficient as not to need to, and therefore does not partake of society, is either a beast or a god. (Aristotle, Politics)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) says in section 1879 that individuals need to live in community, that it is part of our nature to live in association with others. In other words, God made us to be communal people. We see this in the formation of the early Church as its members "devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life" (Act 2:42).

The Second Vatican Council made a similar observation in Gaudium et spes (#23):

One of the salient features of the modern world is the growing interdependence of men one on the other, a development promoted chiefly by modern technical advances. Nevertheless brotherly dialogue among men does not reach its perfection on the level of technical progress, but on the deeper level of interpersonal relationships.

We are not wired to live in isolation or to live our faith alone, but share it with others. Christ told His followers (that's means us too), "Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house" (Matt 5:15).

The Catechism (1890) goes on to teach that "there is a certain resemblance between the unity of the divine persons and the fraternity that men ought to establish among themselves." I believe this is precisely the role that small men's faith groups, like Joe Catholic, serve. This goes to the heart of iron sharpening iron. We need to be able to lean on others in difficult times as well as share our victories so as to inspire each other to keep walking the walk.

One step in that direction, might be registering for a men's conference like the one being co-sponsored by Joe Catholic at St. Catherine of Siena on September 22nd. Registration information is available HERE.

Awkward Moment or Missed Opportunity?

Cyanide & Happiness #2776

This funny little cartoon reminds me of how we interact with others within and out of the Church. I think that Catholics are uniquely "shy." I am not talking about evangelization in the world, which could be the subject of a future post. Instead, I am talking about how we don't get out of our comfort zones. We sit in "our seats" and God forbid we have to introduce ourselves to someone we don't know.

I know it can be awkward. It may even seem scary, but the upside is tremendous. You might just make a friend and in some cases, your friendly smile or handshake may just be what keeps that person coming back. Who knows, you may develop a rapport that permits you to invite them to join a group  getting engaged in the daily life of the Church. 

St. Josemaria often wrote about this as the "apostolate of friendship." Here is one point he makes:

Those well-timed words, whispered into the ear of your wavering friend; the helpful conversation that you managed to start at the right moment; the ready professional advice that improves his university work; the discreet indiscretion by which you open up unexpected horizons for his zeal. This all forms part of the 'apostolate of friendship.' (The Way, #973)

Next Sunday when you encounter that person you may see regularly, but who you really don't know, introduce yourself. Make it a point to strike up conversations with them after or before Mass over the next few weeks. Think of it as an experiment in overcoming awkwardness and making it an opportunity.