When I was a child, my family began attending Mass at a small church in town. Before attending there, we had not been to Mass in years. We were attracted to the church by an astonishing and vibrant priest named Father Eugene Lutz. 

 

Father Lutz was a Marine and World War II P.O.W. He was both hard-as-nails and the most loving person I had ever met. He has been the greatest witness of God the Father’s love in my life. There was an extraordinary balance of strength and authority with compassion and mercy. At his core was a deep love of Jesus that animated his entire life.

 

Father Lutz lived radically for Christ and was different than any other person I had ever met. 

 

I wanted everyone to know him. I can remember telling neighbors and friends at school about him and trying to get them to bring their families to Mass. When my friends faced a hardship, I would tell them about Father Lutz, how he changed our lives, and how he could change theirs. What Father Lutz had done for our family was so great, I wanted everyone else to have it. Surprisingly, some of my friends and neighbors did come. 

 

When I think of it now, it seems odd, a child bragging about his priest to his school friends, but it was so natural. Father Lutz was our friend, and I wanted others to know him. 

 

Many Catholics are hesitant to talk about God. When the opportunity to evangelize arises, we freeze up. Stricken by self-doubt and the fear of not knowing what to say, we say nothing. 

 

We perceive the approaching dialogue as a menacing argument that can only be won by the clever articulation of doctrines and citations — a high-stakes pop quiz we’re ill-prepared for. Instead, motivated by a desire for the good of the other, we should see this as an opportunity to introduce them to a great friend. 

 

When I wanted others to know Father Lutz, I didn’t focus on facts about him. I told them about my story, my relationship with him, and the good he brought to our lives. 

 

If we can articulate the good of a human relationship, we can do the same about God. However, this requires reflection on our relationship with God and the effects of His saving love in our life.

 

First, to prepare your story, consider how you were broken. Each of us has been lost and broken in our sin. We have also faced tragedy and hardship that threatened to consume us. 

 

Second, how did you encounter God’s saving love? Perhaps it was at a retreat, in the confessional, during adoration or prayer, or through a person God placed in your life, like Father Lutz. 

 

Third, how did God conquer that brokenness and how are you forever different? Jesus gives us the grace to endure loss, overcome our addiction to sin, heal deep wounds, and forgive ourselves and others. This is not a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. We can see this pattern repeatedly in our lives. So you probably have more than one story to tell. 

 

The fourth step in sharing our story is to let the other person know Jesus can do the same for them. No matter their struggle or brokenness, Jesus is there and can transform their lives. 

 

Finally, the most important step is to surrender that person to God in prayer regularly. 

 

As your evangelizing efforts grow, this same pattern of sharing your encounter and transformation can be employed to witness to the truths of the faith and God’s grace therein, such as Jesus’ true presence in the Eucharist, the healing power of reconciliation, the intercession of Mary and the saints, and so on. The goal is not to win arguments, but to help others meet the God that saved you. 

 

Always be ready to share the Good News of salvation from your life.