Dear Folks,

The first point from our Sunday readings is to let go of success when it comes to persuading others (See Ezekiel 33:7-9). We are responsible for telling the truth. We are not responsible for others’ reaction. When I started college, I was determined to convert my agnostic roommate. Long story short, I did a terrible job. I could write a book, “101 Things Never, Ever to do While Evangelizing” and I did every one. The first one is I needed to convert him.   Sharing the truth is not about our needs. That said, we don’t get to be lazy about how we do it and how we learn to do it. I needed to learn a lot more about Christianity. I needed to learn a lot about how to dialog with people who thought differently from how I thought (I later learned that includes everyone: sooner or later I will disagree with you about something).  I had a lot to learn about how to manage my emotions.  God tells Ezekiel he is supposed to preach, and the people would respond how they chose.  We can just work on getting better ourselves.  I would suggest that one of the reasons that we are not doing better than we are is so many Catholics do not know how to share the faith, and one of the reasons good things are happening is we are getting some better apologists, including on social media (although good old-fashioned books still have a place). In twelve years of religious ed growing up they never taught us to share the faith with others. In eight years in the seminary they never taught us how to share the faith with those who don’t already have it (don’t get me wrong: I learned a lot of useful things in the seminary, just not that). This is one of the reasons I’m such a fanatic about being a lifelong learner about the faith. 

The Gospel (Matthew 18:15-20) talks about conflict in the Church. If the Church could deal with conflict better, it would save us a vast pile of time and energy that we could us practicing the faith.  If the Church could deal with conflict better that would be a powerful witness that Jesus is at work in our midst. Jesus doesn’t spend a lot of time with practicalities on how to be church, so this must be especially important. 

I have repeatedly recommended Ann Garrido’s book “Redeeming Conflict.” That gives us some basic tools.  However, we have all picked up bad habits in life, and it will take time and lots of effort (Is there any aspect of Christianity that does not require effort?). 

Imagine if everywhere Catholics go it becomes more peaceful, and people have more fruitful and more civil conversation.  It starts with each of us.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim