"Preach the Word, whether convenient or inconvenient; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure, hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."{2 Timothy 4:2-5}

These are strong words from the Apostle Paul. He is telling us that the time has come to seize the moment. God has put out a call for us. We are being asked to grow into a new and deeper intimacy with Jesus.

What kind of commitment is God asking of us as evangelizers? I believe that He is asking us to entrust everything - our lives, families, jobs, and possessions to His control and guidance. To believe that He can take care of us better than we can ourselves. Lets take a stand for Jesus and be the people of God that He called us to be. Allow Jesus to be Lord of every aspect of our lives.

Can you imagine what it would be like if every Catholic in the Diocese of Lake Charles began to seize the moment; with God, their families, churches and communities. Just what would it be like if all of us were reconciled to God and His will for our lives.

If we walked with Christ, He will change our character, clarify our values, modify our convictions and instill a sense of integrity. He will also give our life purpose, security, peace, courage, and joy. And our families, friends, co-workers, churches and communities will receive the blessings of Gods work in us.

The challenge for each one of us is whether we will recognize it, respond in obedience to God who is offering it, trusting in His ability to work through us to fulfill His purpose.

At the cross, Jesus confronted His enemies not with the power at His disposal, but with His unconditional love. It symbolized the servants heart, directed not upon the love of power, but the power of love, the kind of love that builds bridges, affirms people, and turns houses into homes.

The true position of leadership is not in an ivory tower but on our knees before God seeking His mercy, grace, love, and forgiveness.

In Vatican II, our Bishops told us that "From the fact of their union with Christ the head, flows the lay persons right and duty to be apostles. Inserted as they are in the Mystical Body of Christ by baptism and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit in confirmation, it is by the Lord himself that they are assigned to the apostolate."

Pope Paul VI tells us in "Evangelii Nuntiandi" that the "Gospel message is not an optional contribution for the Church. It is truth. It merits having the apostle consecrate to it all their time and all their energies, and to sacrifice for it, if necessary, their own life."

You may never be asked to sacrifice your life for the Gospel, but what price are you willing to pay to spread the Good News by sharing your story of faith? When you answer that question, the rubber meets the road.

Glenn Harmon © 2002