To evangelise, but how?

Third Wednesday of Eastertide – Acts 7:1b-8; John 6:35-40

“And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did.” (Acts 8:7).

After Stephen was stoned, the atmosphere for preaching the Good News could hardly have been more hostile. The Church in Jerusalem was under fierce persecution, believers were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, and Saul was spreading fear. Yet Philip went to Samaria and preached Christ. And people listened. They paid attention. They were open. The word was not empty: it was accompanied by the power of God, with evil spirits being cast out and the sick being healed.

That is what evangelisation is: proclaiming, in the power of the Holy Spirit, the Good News of the Risen Lord. It is not about clever ideas or human confidence, but about offering our gifts, talents, and charisms to God so that He can use them for His glory.

Saint Paul gives us the pattern: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching… do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry” (2 Tim 4:2, 5).

That call is still there for us today. The world may prefer silence, but Christ still sends His Church to speak. So let us pray for our bishops, for priests, and for all the baptised, that we may not be afraid to witness to the truth. The devil is quite happy when faith stays private and quiet; he hates it when Christ is proclaimed.

And let’s remember the martyrs, from Saint Stephen to Saint Columba, and so many others down to our own day. They remind us that the truth is worth everything. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to make us bold, faithful, and full of joy. Amen.