Friday, November 30, 2018 – Evangelize For The Sake of Love

I invite you to take a pause for a moment and think about your favorite thing, that one thing that you love above all other things in the world. There is not right or wrong answer here by the way, just listen to your heart. Think about how much joy this “thing” brings you. Maybe your favorite thing is a person, a pet, a sacred or special object, or maybe your favorite thing is your favorite saint, God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. One thing I know for sure about your favorite thing is that you experience much love with it. When we place our heartfelt attention on our favorite thing we place our love there. What a beautiful gift God gave us when he gave us love.

It’s Good to Love

Loving something or someone is one of the best feelings we can ever experience as a human being. We crave love in body, heart, and soul. Why? Because all good comes forth from love. After all, it was love that led Christ to come into the world so that we could live and experience God’s true love. Yes, God loves us and we are bathed in the milieu of his love even when (especially when) we feel disconnected from love.

Where would we be without love? Where would we be without our favorite things to love? Well, fortunately for us we don’t have to envision a world without love. Yes, there will be heartache, loss, and pain in this lifetime; however, there will always be love to help heal the pain. We have an all-loving Father who loves us and wants us to experience his love.

So what does this have to do with today’s readings you might ask? Well, in our first reading Paul reveals to us the importance of evangelization. Somehow, somewhere, someone evangelized to you. If you are a “cradle Catholic” then this person was a family member. If you are a convert then maybe your spouse or a close friend introduced you to the faith. You ended up a Catholic because someone loved you enough to introduce you to the faith – they evangelized to you.

Evangelize? What? Me?

Sometimes we can get a little tripped up on the whole evangelization thing. After all, what is God calling us to do? And how should we evangelize? Well, I think God is calling us to love the person who is in front of us at every given moment of our life. This person could be physically near you, they could be at the other end of the phone, you could be interacting with them on your favorite electronic device, or you could be holding them in your heart during prayer. The mode of your interaction doesn’t matter that much. What matters is that you act in loving kindness. As Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with saying: “Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words.”

We are called into loving acts of kindness to each person we come into contact with. From the cashier at the store, to the person at the other end of the phone, to our co-workers, and most definitely to our family members. Every time we love another human being we are evangelizing, we are revealing to them Christ who dwells within our human heart. Every time we evangelize another human being experiences a bit of God’s love and a door opens. Through this door a conversation can begin, a conversation about the One who is the source of love.

Loving Our Family Members

During this Advent season let’s focus especially on loving (and forgiving) our family members. After all, Jesus approached two sets of brothers who were working together. Simon (Peter) and Andrew, along with James and John. Undoubtedly they had “family” issues of some sort – don’t all families? Except the Holy Family of course. Yet, through it all God used them to spread his message of love. All four of these men became instrumental in God’s plan for humanity and each evangelized as God called them to.

I believe we receive special blessings when we spread God’s message of love, especially when we evangelize to our family members. Not that we need evangelize to receive a reward, God gives his blessings and grace as he wishes. Rather, blessings are the natural outcome when we surrender to God and his love. Families who love and surrender to God help create a society that loves and surrenders to God.

John – The Evangelist of Love

Looking at John we see the natural outcome of evangelization. John, who became Saint John the Evangelist, not only authored the Gospel of John, and arguably authored the Book of Revelation, he was even granted the special blessing of taking Mary into his home. What amazing loving interactions they must have shared as Mother and son.

Through it all, we get to experience love because God loved us first. God continually teaches us how to love more. This gift is sufficient cause to still within the human heart a call to evangelize. On the love note, in that picture up there are three of my favorite “things”; my son Christopher, my daughter Brittany, and my son-in-law Christopher. I love them all and I try to model God’s love to them – my way of evangelizing to my family:-)

Global Light for Christ (GLFC)

If you are struggling with unforgiveness (or anything else) I invite you to share your petition below. Our community, GLFC, is a group of sojourners supporting one another through prayer and love.

I want to thank all of you who post here. When I sit with your petitions, often in the Adoration Chapel at my parish, my heart is deeply touched when I feel both your pain and the love we hold for each other. Even though we are separated by space and time we are together in the living waters of God.

My Book – Understanding The Jesus Code

The Revised Version!

I have been working hard on the revised version of my book, Understanding The Jesus Code. In it I have added important information on how our personality type affects our spiritual journey into wholeness. The paperback and Kindle version are now available on Amazon and the audio version will be available soon!

I am working with a book publicist and they suggested offering the Kindle version for FREE over a period of 2 days – to get the word out. As soon as I know the dates I will let our readers know in advance so you can get a FREE Kindle version!

God bless all of you. See you next week Friday – Carolyn

If you would like to learn more about my work and my ministry I invite you to visit my website: CarolynBerghuis.com.

God the Father – hold us in your Fatherly love.

Sacred Heart of Jesus – heal us with your divine love.

God the Holy Spirit – immerse us in divine love.

 

Today’s Readings Romans 10:9-18; Psalm 19:8,9,10,11; Alleluia Matthew 4:19; Gospel Matthew 4:18-22

About the Author

Carolyn Berghuis MS, ND, CTN is a best-selling author, inspirational speaker, traditional naturopath, and free-lance Catholic writer. Carolyn is currently pursuing an MA in Pastoral Theology at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. Carolyn also holds a BS in Mathematics, a MS in Holistic Nutrition and a doctoral degree in Naturopathy. www.CarolynBerghuis.com

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18 Comments

  1. Hi may I please have clarification – If a person says & thinks that they’ve forgiven someone many many times but yet can’t forget the wrongs done by the same person through the years – has that person forgiven the offender completely?

  2. I’m requesting to pray for my proect manager that she will have a heart like child who would not be judgemental..we have already learn from non violent communication that to love is not to judge.. No to leveling on people name I pray that she would be able to live that with her heart..

  3. Thanks Carolyn for your very inspiring reflection about love. Love among family members becomes difficulty especially if their parents have passed away and did not leave a will. When it comes to sharing of the property left behind by the said parents greediness comes in because everyone wants a bigger share for himself and does not want to give an equal measure to his sisters. Kindly pray for such families.God bless you Carolyn and keep up your evangelization.

  6. To anonymous regarding forgiveness. With God’s graces one can truly forgive anyone (meaning you love them and want the best for them and have let go of the “how or how much” they hurt you). That doesn’t mean you don’t remember what happened (or even that time to time unforgiveness may creep in again). Forgiveness does not ask you to erase that part of your life (most people couldn’t do that anyhow), or in some cases even though you’ve forgiven, it’s healthier/ safer not to remain in contact with the person. Forgiveness asks you to move forward in God’s love.
    Pray that my husband learn to forgive those past hurts and recover from minor surgery, that 13 year old Jamie be found, and that all of us go forward in love.

  8. Dear Carolyn got me thinking about my favorite things. Here are four:
    Going to 11 A.M. Mass with my wife on Sunday at our wonderful parish, Blessed Trinity in Ocala, Fl.
    Going out to lunch afterwards.
    Going to early Mass and then spending my assigned hour in the adoration chapel on Tuesdays.
    Taking my excited do in our golf cart down to the dog park to play with other dogs every afternoon

  9. Thank you, Carolyn. I pray for all the intentions of our GLFC community. I ask for prayers that my father’s heart ablation procedure go well on December 6th and that it helps him regain his strength and independence so he can return to his home. I ask for prayers for my friend Cindy who suffers from RSDS that she may have respite from her pain, and that my family will be given the gift of faith. Thank you, all. God bless.

  10. Thank you for your weekly reflections and for your prayers. Please include in your prayers that my daughter relationship is love and that things will be joyous for her. Please also include prayers for my little buddy that his vocal chords get stronger and that he will talk. Also for the homeless who sit quietly against a building and are so lost that they ignore those who approach to help them as much as those who walk by and ignore them.

  11. I pray for prayers of peace and healing for my friend James who has cancer. I pray also for his family as they struggle through it all. I pray that forgiveness is always part of our family culture. I pray that I can make connections with those that are difficult. I pray for all women and children in abusive places. I pray with you all, for the petitions written here. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

  12. Anonymous – you asked for clarification on forgiveness. I may have some idea of what you are going through. During my work life, I forgave my priest/boss time and time again over a period of five years. When I confided in my mentor about what I was going through, she said “he will never change, you just have to forgive him every day”. I said that’s exactly what I did. In hindsight, I realize, yes, indeed I did forgive him completely, over and over! Sounds strange, to forgive completely each time a person hurts you. I no longer harbour anger towards him for past injustices. I no longer think about those hurtful days, but that’s because I am no longer within proximity of him! Sadly, 7 years after I quit my job he and his deacon set in motion something far more hurtful, to the point I no longer go to Church. I have shared this story before. Do I forgive them. Yes, everyday. And each day that forgiveness is complete and I am at peace, just for that day. As Jesus said we must forgive 70×7 which means over and over. Will that person continue to hurt you? Possibly, probably. When I forgive those two men, I have to remember forgiving them is for my peace of mind. If I told them personally that I forgave them, they would laugh at me because they have justified their behaviour and couldn’t care less.

    Here’s what I do, I forgive through prayer. Something like “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”. Father, forgive me for my transgressions, so that I may be able to forgive (name) and not hold against him/her/them (name the hurt). Use your own words, and just for today, you will have forgiven completely and a peace that surpasses all understanding will envelop you. Oh yes, and do something you love to do, just for today. God bless.

  13. Thank you to all for the words of encouragement & advice to take note of ; ponder …. & act on!! It is such a blessing, absolute privilege & wonder to be a child of God & believe absolutely that Jesus died & saved me & I’ve received salvation & the Holy Spirit’s my constant companion. My slate’s always clean in His mighty eyes…. These emotions & feelings are very profound especially when life’s going well ….but it’s ever so tough to be Christ to others & show them who He is – to do & act on situations when you have been totally hurt, betrayed & situations are out of your control. Yes I’ve forgiven – fingers on both hands are not sufficient!! Hence the need for clarification – if I’m forgiving as Jesus wants me to; as I believe He doesn’t recall all my past wrongs when He forgives me over & over! Yes the Holy Spirit has helped me sooo much to forget past hurts & not keep thinking of them – but there are times – I know when Satan rocks the boat & I think of all past hurts & the thoughts & emotions come piling on!! Hence my need for the clarification!! Thank you Carolyn for all your wonderful insights & thoughts – just wait for a Friday to read them? May the blessings of the most precious & mighty Holy Trinity be on all ??

  14. I ask for prayers for my husband Ray who was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2013 and who continues to decline to to this progressive and terminal disease.
    I also ask for prayers for my brother Lawrence who was recently diagnosed with a form of leukemia called CLL. Their health weighs heavily on my mind and heart as they are such good men and they are only in their 60’s….

  15. Please pray for my daughter.
    Please also pray for the people affected by the earthquake in Anchorage.
    Please pray for our home.

  16. Please pray for my dear Mother-in-law who was recently diagnosed with ALS. She’s been through a lot over the years and it breaks my heart to see her suffer. She is widowed and lives alone. Her other son lives in the same city as she. He stops by everyday. She spends most of her day in a wheelchair now but can still get up and down to get into bed and to the restroom. She shouldn’t be alone anymore though. My husband and I hope that she can live with us but our house isn’t suitable for her condition and we may be moving in the summer. We’re a military family so we are hoping to find a house with a first floor bedroom when the time comes to move. Please pray for her and her 3 children and for their conversions. God bless you all. You’re in my heart and prayers.

  17. As I read all these comments and prayers, I just wanted to sit and cry, hug, or talk with you to support you all. There are some hearts here that are SO giving and full of God’s love. I guess being able to “only” support you in prayer is a challenge of faith to me. As we always need to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, there are times we can’t physically help. Your petitions are one of those times. These prayers for you really end up being a gift of faith to me. It is a gift of giving our prayers to Jesus and letting go of any control I think I have and letting Him take them to His Father’s loving arms so Thy will be done. Thank you all for helping me grow in faith.
    Also anonymous, I really enjoyed hearing about the 4 things you love.

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