Daily Readings - Friday, May 30th
Fear and Evangelization
Readings: Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter | USCCB
During the Easter Season, we are blessed with reflecting on the Acts of the Apostles, which I find to be an important area for reflection in this time in the life of the Church. We are in an apostolic era where we cannot rely upon the culture to pass the faith on with ease. Rather, we shift gears from a neutral approach to a more intentional effort, going up-hill.
Turning to the Apostles we can develop a better imagination and understanding of what the Church looks like without very many vocations to the priesthood, without consecrated church-buildings, and without public funding and support from the government. We can get disgruntled about these losses or see it as a chance for the Church to return to the essentials and demonstrate God’s power even in the midst of being poor and small.
Fear was a natural disposition for the Apostles after the Ascension - what was next for them? Who would guide them? As they wait in the upper room, out of fear of the Jews, the Holy Spirit comes down upon them to grant them the wisdom, and courage and charisms of the Holy Spirit to perform the work that is required for the Mission of God.
“Do not be afraid.
Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.”
I was raised hearing the phrase, “Preach the Gospel, and use words if necessary.” Yet, silence allows the weeds to grow in a culture, and the Word of God to become forgotten. St. Paul was called, in our reading today, to speak up, and trust in God’s provision. He had to push against the fear that might lead to any rationalization that would suggestion silence was necessary in the proclamation of the Gospel in such circumstances.
As we approach Pentecost, the Church ought to look inward and examine the types of fear that require grace and the stirring of the Holy Spirit. What fear is holding us back from proposing the faith? Don’t let that fear stop you from evangelization - even if it runs the risk of the loss of 30 pieces of honour, power, pleasure or wealth.
The Church evangelizes in its labour to bring forward new spiritual life. But we must be open to taking risks in order to truly be a Church that rests and relies upon the Holy Spirit. When we give birth to new Christians we will rejoice inexhaustible joy, knowing that salvation is dawning not only on those who come to the faith, but us who have accepted God’s calling.
