Honestly, evangelisation is the hardest part of our life as Christians, especially when people reject it. For me, I usually start evangelising at home, because I believe that as education starts at home, evangelisation should start at home too. Through my experience, it really hurts when someone rejects me, especially if the rejection is from my family, friends, siblings or relatives due to our differences in religion. Even though they reject me most of the time, I keep doing good things to show them and to others about the importance of the Gospel in our lives especially at this time of pandemic. When we evangelise we must be good models so that our kinsperson will imitate us, and then we need to move on to seek out those who will receive our love and our message of the Gospel. We need to try to let go of the hurt of rejection and know that God is calling us to seek out others to his flock.
— Zenaida Fronda
In October 2019, I took part in a evangelisation activity titled “Family Strengthening Programme” in my parish in the Philippines. With two parish workers I was assigned to Barangay Sto. Niño and Sitio Hacienda. The first time we visited the place, it was disheartening because only eight to 10 were present despite the notices given. But the poor attendance did not stop us from our mission. In the succeeding sessions my two companions were unavailable. Again the situation didn’t deter me. I went alone the second time and the third time I requested my sister and Reverend Chokue Reales to accompany me. Before I went to my assignment I prayed that God would send folks especially parents to hear God’s words. In the last two meetings we had, our attendance improved. We finished three topics. We pray that the pandemic will end soon so we can resume our evangelisation.
— Norma Ardiente
As Christians, we are facing many struggles in life. To deal with rejection while evangelising, we need a good heart to accept with patience, love and understanding and include people rejecting us in our prayers. Ask God to help us to be humble. I do believe that God is with us leading us as he promised. If ever rejection arises we must not give up. We should move on with our work and remain faithful to our role as heralds, while trusting God to save as he sees fit. It is not necessary to fill our hearts with bitterness or self-pity. We can leave our friends to the Lord to deal with in the ways he sees fit.
— Jean Guillermo
In times of pandemic, some parishioners really rejected our offers to share the Word of God although they have time to do it. But the Lord wants us to follow his directions not ours. He wants us to do things according to his designs. We have seen and witnessed the hands of God working on us. We pray to God with humility, love, patience and understanding in times of difficulties. We believe that although we may experience rejection while evangelising, somehow we have planted a seed of God’s word in them and in God’s time this seed will grow.
—Malyn Lozada
A s a Roman Catholic, I know that I am part of the One Church which was established by Our Lord Jesus Christ. Following his Ascension into Heaven, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide and protect the Church until the end of time. Thus, my evangelisation is to plant the seeds of the Gospel. The conversion happens not by anything I do, but only through the Holy Spirit of God. Even if I am faced with rejection, I am comforted knowing that the Holy Spirit is always at work in the Church. As St. Padre Pio has said, “Pray, hope, and do not worry.”
— Michael Totaro
