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"Do Hard Things" - Witness Local, Think Global
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March 21, 2024"Do Hard Things" - Witness Local, Think Global
By Stephen Morris Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Do you remember the 20year old John Chau?
John made headlines a few years ago, he was killed by arrows from one of the world’s most isolated Indigenous tribes. He was trying to evangelize them. Last year, National Geographic made a documentary about his mission, and it renewed a few thoughts for me. I respect his, “bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth” mentality but I agree with many who claim that present-day United States is the most dangerous mission territory.
“Evangelize where you’re at” is my motto, perhaps I’m Opus Dei-ish.
Recently I was driving my son and his baseball buddies to practice. A younger brother was acting up in the third row of the ole minivan, so the wild rumpus began.
I carpe diem’d the moment to evangelize. “Hey, you guys are kinda’ like the apostles,” I declared, which quickly rendered confused looks.
At least the car quieted for a second.
I looked in my review mirror and explained, “Yea you’re like Jesus hanging out with his buddies Peter and James,” blank stares… “so I guess that makes you John.”
The older boys took the opportunity to re-name ‘John’ and open up a slew of verbal jabs like any good older brothers can do. Then there was a pause, “wait then which one am I?” the questioned all at the same time. So, I labeled the motley crew - John’s older brother became ‘James’ and the two yahoos next to him, Jesus and Peter.
Another boy in the car shouted out, “What about me?”
“
You can pick,” I challenged him, “do you want to be Andrew or Philip?” A flurry of questions ensued and a Gospel lesson with a bit of Acts of the Apostles trivia shared. I wasn’t on a remote island and didn’t take any arrows, but a seed was planted. I hope we can all find local opportunities to witness in the Trader Joe’s parking lot, gym, or Peete’s coffee; wherever it is God places you.
Doing the “hard thing” is often more than a physical journey.
Pilgrimage Updates:
National Eucharistic Procession May 19th. Starting with 11:00am Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in San Francisco then walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. Buses will be available throughout the Diocese - contact your parish office.
See srdiocese.org/news for more information.
St. Bona of Pisa Pilgrimage May 23rd. Patron Saint of Pilgrimage. Starting with 8:00am Mass at St. Eugene Cathedral, then walk across Santa Rosa to St. Sebastian Church. - contact Stephen Morris [email protected] or register on the Diocese Facebook Events page.
Diocese Annual Corpus Christi Procession May 30th. Starting with 5:30pm Mass at St. Rose Church, walk up Sonoma Ave pausing for prayer and reflection, ending at St. Eugene Cathedral (eta 8:00pm) for Benediction & Exposition. -contact your parish office or see the Diocese Facebook Events page for more info.
Be Not Afraid, Stephen M. Morris. 310-849-2342.
