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“We need to be more present on social media; that’ll get more people involved in the church. The youth will love it. It’s evangelization.”
—Excited Parishioners
It’s important to evangelize people. Pope Paul VI emphasized that “The Church exists in order to evangelize.” Evangelization is the vocation of the Church and all her members. The problem with social media is that it promises connection, but often delivers isolation.
Post-resurrection, the disciples were in the midst of a rather significant transition. Jesus had been their constant companion for three years, walking and talking with them every day. Now, they could no longer see him whenever they desired. In the midst of so much change and uncertainty, it must have been nice to come to shore, put down their nets, and have breakfast with Jesus.
Over 2000 years later, this same invitation is given to us.
In our current Church culture, the priest shortage and our abysmal post-confirmation retention rate have led many congregations to spend countless days, weeks, and months agonizing over the perfect wording to revitalize their mission statement in hopes that an inspiring mission will renew their parish. If this is where you currently find your parish, it’s time to consider two truths: 1) Jesus has already given the Church it’s mission statement, so your energies are likely better spent elsewhere. 2) Mission statements will never bring people to the Church. Jesus and his disciples bring people to the Church. No matter how inviting or clever your turn of phrase is, your parish will not be refreshed simply by coining a new mission statement.
The Pharisees and Sadducces came and, to test him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He said to them in reply, “In the evening you say, ‘Tomorrow will be fair, for the sky is red’; and, in the morning, ‘Today will be stormy, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to judge the appearance of the sky, but you cannot judge the signs of the times. An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then he left them and went away.
-Matthew 16: 1-4
2000 years later, it’s easy to see that the Sadducces and Pharisees are being ridiculous.
“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” Luke 12:49
Jesus goes on to say, “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division." He has come to pit two against three, and a son against his father, and mother against daughter. Truth often leads to conflict.
In my first few years of ministry, I experienced a powerful conversion.
