One of the challenges of sharing the Gospel is to actually share it with people who haven’t heard it yet. It’s easy to stay in our nice, safe bubbles and preach to the choir all day long. And pat each other on the back as we continually reaffirm our common beliefs.
But we are called to much more than that. There are some great adventures out there just waiting to be had. And one of the vehicles for such ventures is fast, free and at your fingertips.
New Media has made it easier than ever to step out of the choir and into the fire. And even the choirs are having more and more inadvertent seekers wander by and listen in.
Fr. Barron just released his latest video and he hits on precisely this blessing of an opportunity we’ve been given:
My favorite part is the joy with which Fr. Barron greets the great number of negative comments and responses he sometimes gets. Such joy is truly the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Our great faith foundation and the Hope that comes with it equips us more than any other people to jump into the fire…and still smile even when it burns.
We’ve already won, people. We just have to tell others about it. Once people know who the winner’s going to be, everyone wants to be on their side. It really is as easy as that. So don’t be afraid to step out there. Don’t be afraid to lose a few battles along the way. Don’t get discouraged when things don’t go as planned. Don’t give up when people laugh at you. Just smile. And go again. Leave the rest to God.
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Thanks for posting this! This is so refreshing and so encouraging!
I was just thinking to myself the other day that the internet and all the New Media platforms are like the Areopagus. Everyone is interested in hearing the new ideas and many aren’t interested in acting on it…but they like to hear the new ideas. However, some do act on it and that’s the great thing. Many commentators say that Paul was a failure at there because he tried a different tactic and didn’t win the crowd, but I would argue that Paul wasn’t out to win the crowd. I think that he was content with finding a few people who would listen and take the message and run with it. Fr. Barron has that attitude and we all need to as well.
I remember that one of the criticisms of the Vatican You Tube channel when it first came out was that it didn’t include comments because the web was all about having a say. I love that Fr. Barron says he welcomes negative comments because he’s directly engaging the unchurched. What a great thought! I think he understands that it’s not so much a reflection on him but a reaction to the power of the Gospel. Sometimes the truth jolts you like a slap in the face. Often this causes anger and frustration (which is easy to vent on the internet) but that jolt can lead you to question your current worldview.
With so many “cafeteria” Catholics, why NOT preach to the choir?
Great thoughts, Marc!
LRoy - I dunno how many of them are actually IN the choir! :-) The choir needs a preachin’ to as well, though…I agree.
Great interview! I think your arguments about preaching to the choir are valid, but this ministry is so key to expanding the future of evangelization to Young Adults. I applaud this work and this enthusiasm!
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