The Holy Martyr Isidore (249-51)
Read
Acts 10:21-33; John 7:1-13
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called and instructed to evangelize those whom we encounter and those who come to us. Evangelization is part of the Great Commission of Christ to His disciples after His Resurrection. Without evangelization, the Church would not be fulfilling the first step of making missionary disciples in this world which is a central part of the Church’s mission.
Evangelization, however, does not succeed when we try to force Christ into people. Christ Himself attests to this in our Gospel reading, understanding that the people of Judea are unwilling to listen to Christ or be taught by Him. Our efforts of evangelizing will be rejected by many who have a fear or hatred of Christ. In those instances, having introduced the Good News, we must turn to prayer, that the hardened hearts of those who reject Jesus Christ may be softened to accept Him and the eternal life He promises us.
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