Evangelization is simply...

"Evangelization is simply inviting people into a family. That is good news for such an orphaned generation."
- Gilbert Rodriguez

Evangelization is often so much simpler than we realize. As the quote above says, it is about inviting others into a family: the family of God, in His Church. Every person longs to be part of a family: to be fully known and loved for who we are, where we are, right now, despite our sinfulness and flaws. We are called to evangelize: to invite others into our "Home" - our community at our parish, in our own immediate family, in our small groups - and to love them with the love of Christ, despite their weaknesses. But in order for our evangelization to be fruitful, we must first be confident that we belong to God's family first.

We all have one true identity in God's family: as a son or a daughter of God the Father. No other label, party, or affiliation will suffice, because we are made first and foremost for relationship with our Father. Many are wandering around this world, even in our own country and in our own city, feeling like orphans without a home and without a family. It's our job to love them, to welcome them into our family, to share with them how knowing their identity as a child of God will transform their life forever. This is the only solution for a world that seeks to find identity in many things that will never satisfy.

Some questions for reflection this week:

- Do I truly believe that my truest identity is in being a child of God? Do I feel like an orphan?

- Do I buy into the lie that evangelization has to be yelling on a street corner or knocking down doors?

- Am I ready to let God use me to help others discover their true identity in Christ? How can I ask God to help me?