[Jamillah Grant]

Alyssa,
Thanks for sharing your Street Ready experience. It tells that you care about other people which is one of the best motivation for evangelizing. The key is to listen first to their reasoning and then think of a similar situation that has occurred in your life (or as close as possible) and share your story. Then gently guide them to what God did to make a difference in your life. This engages the other person while you are proceeding with the first step of evangelizing.
You are going to do great!

[Jamillah Grant]

Hello Kjsspei, I hope all is well with you. I just got this response; so forgive me for my late reply.

Before evangelizing, I always pray that the Holy Spirit will guide my tongue and give me a proper and kind response. On the occasion, of speaking to the Atheist, as I walked toward him, I had prayed fervently for help in saying the right thing with the right presentation. I had never had such a challenge in all my experience evangelizing. The explanation about the order of things came from my background as an undergraduate science major. I remember vividly that there were definite mathematical equations that ordered the universe. I knew from my personal experience of study. So I related from my studies and trusted that the Holy Spirited had given me the proper words to convey with a smile. I am not sure I was told during undergraduate or maybe I just didn’t connect the dots during my past studies. So, I was ignorant of what philosopher I could have quoted. In hindsight, maybe I could have mentioned Newton or Galileo. I am confident, if it would have been challenged, the Holy Spirit would have provided.
Since, he presented himself as a very intellectual person, my spirit promptly me to reply with an intellectual answer. So i rolled with it and in the back of my mind the Spirit invited me to be confident and kind. An appeal toward his humanity as a fellow human creature not as the other.
Thank you so much for your communication.

[Jamillah Grant]

Janet,
I connect with the area only in memories from my childhood. I have not lived there since kindergarten or first grade. Now, I live in Louisiana and most of my known relatives no longer live in Galveston. I do have it on my list to visit the area and especially visit Holy Rosary.

[Jamillah Grant]

Janet, I agree if each of us do our due diligence and passionately embrace the Holy Spirit. We can do great works and make huge changes “In Jesus name”. Jesus also said when two or more are gathered together in his name, Ask and you shall receive. So, we cannot do it alone but together with other evangelists the power of change can be embraced. So, indeed praying with one who asks for prayer is gratifying to the giver and the receiver.

[Jamillah Grant]

Discernment on the Parable of the Sower.
After several readings of the parable and prayers for discernment on Christ description of the Sower’s seed germination in relation to the soil or lack of soil. During my prayers this week, God showed me that there were two parables about seed growth. I realized that all seeds do not bare fruit. Matthew 13-29-30 describes that both the wheat and the tare grow up in fertile soil. This brings into consideration that although seeds may seem similar, some seeds are not authentic but imitators. Have you ever noticed that weeds appear to have similar leaf patterns as the real crop? Some novice planters are often confused as to which is the real deal. Same with evangelization, we take persons who seem interested at face value. We are so pleased to know that they want a change in their lives and we are willing to go through the process with them to get them to accept the saving power of Christ. But some are imposters; even though the evangelist has done all the right things, some persons were only interested in the ceremonial aspect of conversion. Once the thrill has gone, truly embracing Christianity was never their truth. Therefore, evangelizers must depend on the Holy Spirit to guide them and know that their actions were in good faith. If for any reason, after they have done all they can do, evangelist must accept the free will of the person to accept or reject the truth. God has given each of us free will. So instead of forcing his will on us, he choses for us to discern by the holy spirit.
As for me, after all I have been through in this life, I do my best to cultivate good soil in me by daily prayer and worship. I love worship songs and enjoy trying to sing as good as the musicians that recorded them (LOL) but hopefully I sound good to God. I know I am off key but since I am alone it doesn’t matter. I have five sons, not all of them imitate my passion for praise, worship and prayer even though they have the knowledge and resources to know The Way. My prayers always include that they will never embrace evil.

[Jamillah Grant]

My favorite and most eye opening was Chapter 8. The purging from an affection of sin. The ability to be more cognizant of situations that might lead one to sin. The courage to tell someone that you do not wish to participate and the sin that might occur if one participate.

For example: Some pew mates began talking about a lector; why does she read like … why doesn’t she speak to anyone…why doesn’t she study the text before reading… They wanted me to agree and join in the “conversation.” They looked at me curiously when I refused to participate in the conversation. They were insulted when I had the audacity to tell them that they were gossiping. WE should all go to confession; I will need to go to confession just for hearing such a conversation. Next time you want to gossip, don’t ask me for an opinion.

Gossiping is an insidious and deadly sin. As the song goes,”killing them softly”…

[Jamillah Grant]

On many occasions, I have heard that the Church is the bridegroom of Christ . However, I never quite understood the essence of that connection until reading the Nine Chapters of Introduction to the Devout Life. Like a courtship, the devout life is a gradual embracement of God’s love. While many believers have statues, candles, and other symbolic references to their religion, “devout persons fly towards God frequently…”. Our gradual ascent to being devout occurs through prayer, embracing the sacraments, being charitable, and having a spiritual nimbleness. Based on this description, it appears that the charismatic Catholic portrays the essence of what it means to be devout. Their cheerfulness and heartfelt devotion shows their abandonment of caring whether anyone is observing them praise and worship so rigorously. Their cheerfulness in spirit is pleasing to God. The devout life preserves those who embrace it and defends against evil (p11.)

I liked the analogy of the dawn gradually dispelling the darkness. It provides clarity that to truly obtain devoutness, one must appreciate the process of becoming devout. Knowing that devoutness is a process helps us to be more humble that we are not wholly righteous in an instant but with the constant endeavor to do what is right. It is through persistence of prayer, contrition for our sins, and purging our affection toward sin that we are at or in peace. I have learned that Jesus does not ask us to be successful, famous, or rich. He asks us to be faithful! With faithfulness, we gain the peace that is not negated by any negativity, chaos or confusion of this day and time. As Jane indicated “prayers are the spiritual economy of Salvation in Jesus Christ”.

[Jamillah Grant]

Since the pandemic, I hardly ever go shopping. I usually buy groceries and every item I need I buy online. I do sell real estate. So, I do not know if this experience counts. I meet strangers to help them find a house. I do not speak politics or religion when showing property. But I do let them know that I believe and prayer. I often ask them to pray for what they need.

Just recently, a few days ago, something came over me to evangelize to one of my clients. He wanted to buy a house but each time he would put in an offer it failed. I would gently tell him that he should pray and ask God for what he needs. I told him that I believed in prayer and asking Him for what I needed was always fruitful. I asked my client why did he want a house? I told him God gives us what we need but not necessarily what we want. Each time we went out, I would ask him, “did you pray for what you needed? And then a couple of days ago, somehow out of the boldness of the Holy Spirit, I asked him if he knew how to pray? He said not really. He did not go to church. During our previous conversations, he had said that he was from Baltimore. So, I began talking to him about the religious heritage of Black people in the Baltimore area. I asked him if any of his family were Catholic because there was a rich heritage of Black Catholic there as is in New Orleans. He responded in the negative but did not say if his family attended any church in particular.

He consistently reminded me that he was a tech Guy. So, after some conversation, I told him that maybe he would like to use some tech to get to know more about the Catholic Church and the existence of God. I gave him the “Great Catholic Audio Talks” card which has mp3s that answers questions for the curious. The first one is about the existence of God. The day I gave him the card, we had lost another opportunity for him to purchase one of the homes of his interest. I don’t know if he studied the mp3’s but he called again that night and gave me a list of homes he wanted to look at on the next day.

He put a bid for purchasing the last one we viewed. I had dreaded writing this particular offer because the listing Realtor was very unpleasant based on my last dealings with him. I wrote the offer, regardless of my opinion of the listing agent, submitted the offer. I gave the listing agent 24 hours out of courtesy to reply. I got a reply less than 3 hours after presenting it that the seller accepted the offer without countering for further negotiations on price or terms. Not sure if my client really prayed or if he actually listened to the mp3’s. I just know that his prayers and mine were answered.

He did tell me, as we left the home he wanted to purchase, that I had talked to him as his mother and Aunt would have done.

[Jamillah Grant]

It seems to me that it should be called: Amazing Grace… (even the song makes more sense now).

[Jamillah Grant]

I do not know the exact day of my baptism but I do know I was six months old; it was July 1947. I was baptized at Holy Rosary in Galveston Texas. My maternal aunt was my godmother, my godfather became deceased very soon after my birth. My aunt was very dutiful; making sure that I obtained my sacraments even when my mother and father had become lost from the Catholic Church. I reflected on St. Augustine of Hippo; The Confession-“Speak so that I my hear and hide not thou face from me”. Due to this exercise and thanks to the Internet, I sought and found more information about the Catholic Church where I was baptized.

To my amazement, Holy Rosary was one of the first African American Catholic Churches in Texas. It was established in a one-room school house in 1886 and the Dominican administered the school which later became a church. The school and orphanage was administered by the Sisters of the Holy Family in 1889. The Venerable Mother Henriette De Lille is the founder of the Order of the Holy Family and has completed the two steps required in being venerable. At every Mass in the New Orleans Archdiocese we remember her and ask her to make us a holy family.

In addition to learning about Holy Rosary as among the first African American Catholic Church and its founder Mother Henriette De Lille, I also learned that Holy Rosary of Galveston has an historical marker. After learning this information about where I was baptized and who I am; I am grateful that God gave me such a blessed Godmother, who took her vow at my baptism gracefully and seriously. She made certain that I completed my First Communion and Confirmation even when my parents were not taking me to church. Thank you for this exercise. It improved my understanding about my heritage as a Black Catholic.

[Jamillah Grant]

As I indicated in my previous post, and to Mr. Gonzales’ point, the Knights of Columbus had a poster display with proven facts about The Eucharist. Unfortunately, it was not well attended by the congregation at large. However, I am certain that those who did attend the display left with more reverence for the Eucharist and much more equipped to defend the presence of Christ in it.

[Jamillah Grant]

The Imitation of Christ made me realize the enormous amount of Grace of our Lord. No human can even come close to the fulfillment of grace that it explains to us about the awesomeness of Jesus Christ. With this last covenant, The Holy Eucharist we can all share that we are brothers and sisters based on the unity that the consummation of the Holy Eucharist provides us. I was recently challenged regarding my belief in Christ presence in the Holy Eucharist. We had a Eucharist delay in our parish hall several months ago. There were actually some poster explaining the scientific proof that the Eucharist, one in particular contained a minute piece of flesh that could possibly be that of Jesus due to the carbon dating confirming the time period. Receiving the Eucharist is like receiving the Holy Spirit. At least that is how it makes me feel. A spirit-filled presence.

[Jamillah Grant]

I learned from this course that God is ever merciful. I know we Christians say that a lot but this is the first time that I realized how many times humanity has failed God. Yet each time, he reaches out and finds a way to renew us and bring us back into the fold. Six covenants of repeating our failures and falling into our original sins. And then, he gave us his son to show us the way to everlasting life. God ways are not our ways. If only we could be so merciful to one another and reach out our hand to reconcile our petty differences. The priest often remind us that we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet, I have overheard some ridicule such an idea even as he speaks. One very popular song, “Let there be peace on Earth…with God as our Father brothers all are we”. One sad deviation on the lyrics was written, “neighbors all are we”. Just to pin such a rewrite shows a gross misunderstanding.

Our divine family has been broken, it is only by reaching out to others with the help of the Holy Spirit may we once again be gathered in one place yet understand the different languages that each of us speak. I wholly agree with Beth that evangelizing is inviting others to become part of our family under the covenant to the True and Lasting Covenant of Jesus Christ.

[Jamillah Grant]

Sujey,
Were your answers close to the commentator once you listened to what they said. My answers never seem to match the approach that they took on responding. I am not sure I would consider that if your answer did not match, it failed. We all are new to this evangelizing idea, even those we know we have been commanded to do it. It does not make it easily done. Especially, since doing things like proclaiming the gospel verbally and in the public is not something previously done by Catholics.
I am sure you did fine! The answer one gives depends on what the person standing in front of you would comprehend and respond with compassion. “Oh, I did not know that about the Catholic faith” or I never thought of it that way” are phrases that bring you closer to agreement and possibly a visitation to the Church to reassess why they may have fallen away from the faith.

[Jamillah Grant]

I listened to the Catholic Answers series, Do Catholics have a personal relationship with Jesus? I paused the video:

My answer, Yes, they have a very personal relationship with Jesus through prayer and reflective devotion. The Rosary is a vehicle that increases Catholics relationship to Jesus. Not only do we contemplate the life of Mary but also venerate the glorious and sorrowful moments of his life. With contrite heart, we remember the suffering he endured at the hands of humanity. Most non-Catholics think the Rosary is just a repetitive prayer of “Hail Mary’s”. They do not recognize that is much more than repetition but a verbal and silent tribute to his life and his mother’s role in it.

Sorry but the Eucharist did not immediately come to mind. The objection of most non Catholics is usually about the erroneous idea that we pray to Mary. I think that my response to clarify how the Rosary as a way that we keep a personal relationship with Jesus might be more relatable.

[Author]

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