RECENTLY I underwent exploratory surgery. Whilst I was being prepared in the surgery, the anaesthetist announced to the surgical team that I did a daily motivational and inspirational broadcast on radio station MOB-fm, and that they should all listen to it.
Then she put me to sleep!
This surprising, unexpected encounter confirmed that God does work in strange ways.
It highlighted that I never know who I may reach with the writing and broadcasting I do in the service of God. But God does.
Before he ascended to Heaven, in what is described as the Great Commissioning, Jesus issued a command: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you …” (Matthew 28:18)
The commissioning wasn’t just for the benefit of the 11 apostles (and other disciples present), it was spoken directly to you and me.
Jesus commissioned all Christians to spread the Good News of God’s kingdom – to be evangelists.
Now, if we are entirely honest with ourselves, we probably think that it is the job of priests and religious to evangelise, or at least people who have a particular skill or calling.
Couldn’t be me, though. After all, I’m not ordained to preach!
Besides, I don’t feel comfortable about the idea of standing on some street corner preaching the Gospel.
Yet, there is no escaping it – Jesus WAS speaking to you and me.
We are all, through our baptism, called to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel.
Jesus commissioned his disciples to go out and carry on the work he began.
He chose ordinary people – people like you and me.
He entrusted us with his work and empowered us with his Spirit.
He chose us knowing we could work and rise above our limitations.
Just as those first disciples felt the Spirit moving within, empowering them to empower others, Jesus does the same with us today.
It is our duty and responsibility as baptised Christians to share what we have been given with others.
That may appear to be a daunting challenge.
After all, Moses baulked when God told him he was chosen to lead his people out of Egypt.
Moses even gave reasons to God about how he was not the right man for the job.
God accepted no excuses from Moses then – he accepts no excuses from us now.
Pope Francis challenges: “Christians have the duty to proclaim the Gospel … to share their joy, who point to a horizon of beauty and who invite others to a delicious banquet … The Samaritan woman became a missionary immediately after speaking with Jesus and many Samaritans come to believe in him “because of the woman’s testimony” (John 4:39). So too, St Paul, after his encounter with Jesus Christ, “immediately proclaimed Jesus” (Acts 9:20; cf. 22:6-21). So, what are we waiting for?” (Apostolic Exhortation – Evangelii Gaudium)
I reckon Dutch priest and author Henri Nouwen said it beautifully: “What we have received is so beautiful and so rich that we cannot hold it for ourselves but feel compelled to bring it to every human being we meet.” (Bread for the Journey – Henri J. M. Nouwen)
I am not talking about door-to-door evangelism or standing on a street corner with a John 3:16 sign.
I am simply talking about seizing the opportunity to speak to someone about Jesus when the opportunity arises.
The most effective preachers of the Gospel are often ordinary lay people whose lives have been transformed by God’s grace.
We should not let fear keep us from opportunities to share the reason for our faith.
Ask people how they came to know Jesus, and most will tell you it was a one-on-one experience.
Someone, not a TV evangelist or a great sermon, or a book, but someone shared their faith.
Often, it is a friend or co-worker, teammate, or acquaintance.
Sometimes it begins with a simple inquiry as to why you seem so happy, joyful, so different?
It’s a perfect time to gently evangelise, but all too often we freeze.
We simply remain silent out of fear and miss the opportunity.
Yet God does not call the equipped; God equips the called.
As laity, we may not be ordained to preach, but we are called to live our lives in love, to love one another.
Therefore, we are called to be examples of love to ALL those around us.
Yes, we are not ordained preachers, but we are commissioned by Jesus, who wants us to share the saving message of the Gospel with our friends, neighbours and family.
As Pope Francis says, “what are we waiting for?”
Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations …
Have a golden day and treasure life.
