July 7, 2019

14^TH Sunday in Ordinary Time

“The ‘Nones’ Need Our Time and Our Joy”

Msgr. Thomas Gervasio

I think it’s safe to say that most of us would be eager to spread the word when something good and wonderful happens in our life. I often think of an elated young lady who shows her engagement ring to nearly everyone she meets. Yet I wonder what our level of enthusiasm would be about evangelizing. I wonder because that is central to our identity as disciples. It is a task we should take seriously. How you ever heard of the Nones? Not “Nuns” but Nones! “Nones” are those who claim to have no religion affiliation. A recent study by the Pew Research Center revealed that today 25% of the people in our country are “Nones.” 40% of those under 30 are called “Nones.” It is no surprise that the voice of the Church is very much like St. John the Baptist in the desert.

I mention evangelization because in today’s Gospel account we find the Lord sending out 72 disciples to evangelize. Why 72? Because 72 was the number of Gentile nations in the Book of Genesis. The mission of Christ extends beyond Israel to all the nations.

We often think that evangelization was the Church’s effort to bring the Faith to foreign lands. This is still and will always remain a part of the Church’s work. Yet, the mission, the great mission is right here in our backyard. We must bring the light of Christ into the culture that is imbued with indifferentism, secularism, and atheism. Faced with such a prospect, we are often inclined to surrender. “What can I do?” we ask. Some would say, “The Church will just have to change and catch up with the culture.”

But it is rather wrong-headed to maintain that the world sets the agenda for the Church. It is the faith of the Church that must renew the world. We must all have a part in that renewal, beginning in our family, our parish and community. Where do we begin? I’d to suggest two important steps on the path of evangelization.

The first is to devote ourselves to the study of our Catholic Faith. Evangelizers must be well-equipped and confident to engage others who do not believe, who are skeptical of faith, or have distanced themselves from the Faith. Our Catholic formation should not end at our Confirmation. (I always say to a group of candidates to be confirmed, “Confirmation is not Catholic graduation.”) It involves time but it is time well spent. Open a Bible and the Catechism. Use the Internet wisely, searching for Catholic sites that will inform and enrich our faith. Check out our own use website and get connected to “FORMED.” Come to parish missions and programs for adult education. We cannot light the flame of faith in others if our own candle is extinguished.

The second step to be joyful. St. John XXIII said that joy is the expression of a life that is healthy, tranquil, beautified, and animated by divine grace.” When others see this joy in us, they will wonder about its source. Do we speak with joy about our faith, about our experience of the Mass, Confession, living a sacramental marriage? Do we ever say to others, “I will pray for you?” “God bless you.” Have we ever given a gift that gives a “lift” to the spiritual life: a prayer book, a Bible, a sacred image? We all know someone who is home right now and is not thinking of the Mass. Do we ever think of inviting them to join us?

The Lord sent out 72 disciples. Our baptism involves being “sent out” as well. The harvest is great but laborers are few. The “nones” don’t know what they are missing! Pope Francis said: The Lord is knocking at our door. Have we put out a sign that says, “Do not disturb?”