The best reason to evangelize is sheer gratitude for God's grace. At some point, we find God irresistible. Grace is very much like falling in love. Evangelization is our response to God’s irresistible grace. We do not do it to impress anyone. We do not evangelize to earn salvation. That is already freely given. We simply cannot resist sharing the good news of God's affection for us. It was St. Paul who first used the analogy of child birth. At a certain point, there is simply no going back and no way out. Likewise, evangelization is a seemingly unnatural act of surrender to God’s will. Few people set out to do it, but few can resist it once this birthing begins.
According to Kevin Harney who wrote Organic Outreach for Ordinary People, “Justice is getting what we deserve. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we do not deserve.” And grace makes all the difference when it comes to evangelization. We all want justice when someone wrongs us. We appeal for mercy when we wrong someone else. But it is unlikely that I would give my life even for a just person. Grace makes the seemingly impossible, down right desirable.
Grace motivates shy people to be bold. It gives someone the courage to share embarrassing choices and how God redeems such choices. Grace fuels efforts that are beyond our natural ability. For some grace is intoxicating - compeling them to share generously, act recklessly, and pray without restraint. Unless we get the lunacy of grace, we cannot share the full power of the Good News of Jesus.
This is the grace that was won by Christ once and for all. Truly there is no justice in life. We did not earn life. It was a gift. And then, out of sheer mercy, we are given almost infinite opportunities for joy each day. And no matter what we make of life, Christ has arranged an eternal reward for each of us that he alone has earned. And the pull of God’s grace is irresistible. It is like two people held together by rope.
Imagine that one person is God and the other is you. God's grace holds us together. When I deny God’s grace and purpose for my life, usually in ignorance but perhaps even in sin, I cut the rope. 
Out of mercy, and no matter the offense, God forgives me and calls me back – effectively re-tying the rope. I see the error of my ways and accept God's forgiveness. Inevitably, I deny God again, and God responds by re-tying the rope again. This happens repeatedly. Despite our misdemeanors, God never fails to forgive, re-tying the rope as many times as are needed. But notice what has happened to the rope in the process.
With each breaking and re-knotting, the rope has grown shorter. The result? God uses even our errors and transgressions to draw us closer. That is grace. It is more than justice. It is more than mercy. It is what we can never deserve. Followers of Christ rejoice in such grace, in a way that cannot be contained. Grace overflows from us. It motivates selfless love. It compels us to share our secret of happiness with others. Grace fuels evangelization as nothing else can. Have you ever thought about “grace” this way before? What does it mean to you?
Do you know someone who is a grace-filled evangelist? Ask that person how long have they been doing it and why? Listen. Do they name God’s grace as the reason for their effort?
What about you? Are you intoxicated by a God who re-knots whatever you break?
Is that grace overflowing in your life? What will you do about it?
Do you need to drink more deeply of God’s grace at this time in your life? Is it time to share the Good News more generously? Is there an appropriate act of loving recklessness that would express your gratitude?
Take a moment to pray for God’s energy and guidance as you consider your next steps in grace. You can start with the reflection here: Re-energize your evangelization
For more suggestions on evangelization contact the Office of Parish Life or call 716-847-5531.