Baltimore, MD. Catholicism is not a do-it-yourself activity. Christianity is not a club. Faith is not a feeling. … What are they, then? Catholicism is a new, different way of living. Christianity is a discipleship. Faith is an obedience. Recently, some of our evangelists talked to gentleman – let’s call him “Fred” – who said he knew how to pray the rosary and that he went to Mass. Others might have responded with something like, “That’s great! Keep it up!”, but we encourage our evangelists to strive to meet each person where they are, and then lead them up to the next level. So in this case, they probed further, and found out that Fred does not get to Mass every Sunday, but only on occasion.

But what about “Thou Shalt Keep Holy the Sabbath Day”? To fulfill this Commandment, Catholics are normally obliged to worship God at Holy Mass on Sundays and certain Holy Days, and to avoid any activity that hinders such worship and the proper rest and relaxation. This isn’t an option – it is part of Christian discipleship. We need to spend quality time with God; and on His terms, not ours.

As the evangelists explained these things to him, Fred became interiorly convicted that he was doing wrong by neglecting God, and that God had sent these evangelists to reveal this to him. He seemed a changed man! On the spot, Fred re-committed his life to Christ, and promised to repent of his sin in confession, and to begin attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. He even promised to go to confession regularly. Praise the Lord!

Many Catholics know that faith makes true demands on us, but many are afraid to challenge others on this point. People feel that the direct approach will be somehow offensive. Maybe for some, it will be. But those of us involved in street evangelization find the opposite to be the case, and we are repeatedly astonished at the many hearts that apparently need the direct approach.

We need more evangelists to meet these hearts and speak directly, but non-confrontationally, to them. Will you join us?