The joy of conversion, Christian community, and the Catholic faith
We have to be able to tell our story of how we met the Lord, and how our relationship with him is changing our lives. Like all evangelists, new or old, we are called to speak the truth of the faith as revealed in our experience and relationship with Jesus Christ—yes, that scary, vulnerable, stepping out in faith to share what God has done in our lives and how he transformed our hearts.
The departure of my wife and me from the Protestant tradition was a reflection of God’s leading hand and presence in our lives. Unknown to us at the time, each spiritual step we took prepared us in some new way for our ultimate destination of the Catholic Church. Before discussing six key points that convinced us to journey across the Tiber, I think it is important to examine some of the most personal influences that affected our course.
We, too, can trust God and say “yes” to our calling as evangelists. Our authentic witness begins with our openness to the Holy Spirit. That vulnerability leads to a holy encounter that changes us so that our witness flows from our relationship with Jesus. Knowing and pondering our story clarifies it and fills us with joy that overflows to others. We can bring the presence of Jesus within us into the world with humility and joy, through the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit.
Mary’s powerful encounter with Gabriel compelled her to witness. The Holy Spirit overwhelmed her with such joy that she could only respond by telling those dearest to her what God had done in her—as the angel had directed her.
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. (Luke 1:39–40)
God chose Mary as the first evangelist. She said “yes” because she trusted him. She embraced his mission for her life and brought the presence of Jesus to the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. As our model for becoming evangelists, Mary demonstrates the character traits we need: humility, obedience, authentic witness, joyful praise, and close relationship with God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Everything she did was a testimony of God’s love.
My parents are atheists, so there was no religion in our home. They never tried to prejudice us against religion; they just never talked about it. It was kind of like talking about sex—it was the unspoken rule that you just didn’t mention religion.
As issues came up, we were taught to be good people in the morality of popular culture: work hard and do your best, be honest, don’t steal, cheat, or lie. We learned that a lot of other issues were all relative. As long as you didn’t hurt other people or break the law, what you did was your own business.
Of course, even though they never talked about religion, we all knew that those boring churchgoers were weak because they needed a crutch like religion to get by.
Evangelization is part and parcel of being a Christian, but sharing our faith is not simply a chore to be carried out. When we share our faith stories with others, not only do we grow as Christians, but we encourage others and give glory to God.
We are not evangelizing for our own glory, but to glorify God. Sharing our story is not about showing how pious or holy we have become, but how God’s love for us has transformed us. We acknowledge his power and might in showing how he has been able to bring good even out of our neglect and sin.
I was first baptized as a Protestant and later conditionally baptized as a Catholic (as was the custom before Vatican II). For me, the effects of baptism have been a tremendous source of joy. That’s when I was adopted as a beloved daughter of God, equipped as a follower, commissioned to witness, freed from original sin, made a temple of his glory, empowered by the Holy Spirit, welcomed into the Church, and lovingly placed into the river of my faith story.
My baptism gave me my identity in Christ and began God’s work in my life. May I never “dry out” and turn away from being his beloved daughter, whom he continues to transform.