Why “Evangelize Me”? Part Two

But I had another reason to call this ministry of mine Evangelize Me, one that is the very foundation of the New Evangelization. Evangelize me can also be understood as a request. Bring me the Good News. Please. If it is true that we are created for relationship with God, that our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Him, that every single human being has a God shaped hole in their heart, than it stands to reason that this is the cry of every human heart: evangelize me! Bring me That for which I long! But it is not a “that” but a “Whom.” Only we do not realize it is Jesus we desire, we are convinced it is security, stability, health, money, a new relationship almost anything except God. 

At the same time that every human being has this deep longing for God, God has a deep longing for every human being! “…not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). “I will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32). God is actively working, drawing, wooing every single person we know. And they are secretly, mysteriously longing for him. I believe if we understood this beautiful love story we could see our role in it so much clearer. 

Ah, but that brings us to the crux, so to speak. I am one of those human beings that needs more of God’s life to be the holy, hopeful, joyful, loving person he has created me to be. “Evangelize me” is the prayer of the New Evangelization! Bring the Good News to my heart Lord, so that I can bring it to others! It is when I realize that I need to be evangelized every day in every way, and that it is out of the fresh revelation of his grace and love for me that I am able to speak and show his love and grace to others. 

Is that what Pope Francis had in mind when he penned this prayer:

“Lord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you. 

I need you. 

Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace.” 

Evangelii Gaudium,  3

Let us pray to the Lord today, “Evangelize me!”

Why is this little ministry of mine called "Evangelize Me."? (Part 1)

I grew up in beautiful northern Maine. The northernmost county in Maine is called Aroostook County. It covers nearly 7,000 square miles, the size of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined, but with a population of about 70,000. That says a lot all by itself. There are are literally millions of acres of woods in northern Maine. I grew up on a potato farm in Caribou. Aroostook County for many years, supplied potatoes for the east coast. And Caribou often had the distinction of being the coldest spot in the country. Though the trout filled brooks and ponds, crystal clear lakes, and spectacular wilderness make it a nature lovers dream, it is the people, the simple, kind, neighborly people that really make it special. 

Other than college years and missions work, I have spent almost my entire life in Maine. I lived on the midcoast, the western mountains and in the central parts. I have hiked, canoed, kayaked, camped or skied in every county and loved every trip. Wherever I go in Maine, I find beautiful scenery, lots of woods to explore, and wonderful, loving people. I love this state and its people.

After discovering the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith and becoming involved in parish life, I quickly realized there was a dire need in many parishes for renewal. So many Catholics don't understand their faith and so many are not practicing it. As I learned about the New Evangelization called for by St. John Paul II, and his successors, I felt called to devote my energies to help the parishes of Maine embrace the call to discover the richness of Christ's grace and learn how to bring the message of hope to their families, neighbors and communities.

So, I decided to name my little apostolate, "Evangelize Me." For those of you who don't know, "Me." is the abbreviation for Maine. 

But that is just part of the story.....