St. Matthew (feast day Sept. 21) and St. Luke (feast day Oct. 18) both give an account of the birth of Jesus. As we celebrate their feastdays let us see how much you remember about Matthew and Luke’s Infancy Narratives. Take this quick quiz. In my next newsletter I will give you the answers, but you can find most of the answers by reading Mt. 1-2 and Luke 1 – 2:39.

Quote from Living as Missionary Disciples

The everyday moments of one’s life lived with Christian charity, faith, and hope provide a witness to family members, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and others who may have stopped actively participating in the life of the Church or those who do not have a faith life. (pg. 15)

The Month of Evangelization

OCTOBER

The four evangelists are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John because they wrote about the “Good News” of Jesus Christ. You and I are also evangelists by virtue of our baptism. Look at the word evangelization. What word is inside that word. Hint: evANGELization. The Church’s understanding of an ANGEL is one who brings Good News. So anytime you speak in God’s name, any time you listen, minister, serve, love, feed, clothe, teach or do anything in God’s name you evANGELize. 

We are moving into a month of outstanding evangelists: 

• October 1: Feast of St. Thérѐse of Lisieux.  “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”
• October 4: St. Francis of Assisi. “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words”. 
• October 11: St. John XXIII. “Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.”
• October 18: St. Luke the Evangelist. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring Good News”. (Luke 4:18)

Thérѐse, Francis, John and Luke allowed themselves to be marinated in the Word of God. It became their DNA. During this month of Evangelization, let us also pray to be effective instruments of God. Click here for practical suggestions: Everyday Evangelizing for Everyday Catholics.

When you feel you can’t evangelize, think about these Biblical people who also would have thought the same as you, and yet they allowed God to work through them despite their limitations. So remember: