The Making of an Evangelist

Msgr. Peter J. Vaghi speaks at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle.

Monsingnor Peter J. Vaghi, pastor at Church of the Little Flower in Bethesda MD, presented a theological reflection titled Encountering Jesus in His Word: The Making of an Evangelist  on Thursday, October 6  at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle.

This was the first of eight monthly reflections which are scheduled to occur on the First Thursday at the Cathedral immediately following the 5:30 P.M. Mass.

"Christian life is essentially marked by an encounter with God asking us to follow him."  explained Monsingnor Vaghi.

There is, within each encounter with God, a challenge for each Christian to be more faithful in his life, to make changes to be more obedient to God.

"Peter is a model for us to follow as we evangelize." stated Monsingnor Vaghi. "Peter is a model for what it means to be an evangelist."

Holy Scripture passage Luke 5:1-11 was read by Monsignor Vaghi.

"Listening to his word, the people encountered Jesus."  said Monsignor Vaghi as he briefly described the day to day ministry of Jesus and the crowds of people who were following him. There is a significance that Jesus chose Peter's boat to get into and to continue teaching the people. There were other boats which he could have used. But Jesus chose to be close to Peter.

Msgr. Peter J. Vaghi listens to a question about evangelization.

 After he had finished talking to the crowd Jesus asked Peter to take his boat out to deep water and lower his nets. Peter said "Master we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing but at your command I will lower the nets."  Peter's response could be interpreted as apostolic toil, working hard as an apostle. Within Peter's response exists a sense of weariness, lack of confidence, sense of defeatism.

"Peter could have rejected the request of Jesus. Peter decided to obey the word of Jesus, the word of God." explained Monsignor Vaghi. "He obeyed the Word of God. He trusted the word of Jesus. He  allowed the movement of the spirit in his life. In the process he became a changed man."

Jesus provided a simple lesson for Peter on being obedient to God. Jesus showed Peter that obeying the word of God could lead to great success.

"We must take risks for Jesus. We are asked to challenge our friends, to challenge our family members to return to Church. We are to challenge their beliefs, to persuade them to believe that to live in such a way that one's life without God does not make sense."

On that fishing boat Peter came to terms with his weakness, with his unworthiness to be an evangelist. He was overwhelmed by his personal sinfulness.

Msgr. Peter J. Vaghi responds to a question about encountering Christ.

"We must pray to come to terms with our own sinfulness to be effective evangelists." said Monsignor Vaghi.