Daily Inspiration

When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either. But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” —Mark 16:9-15

Friends sometimes tell me how difficult it is for them to talk to strangers about Jesus and the miracles He has placed in their lives. They worry, will others believe? But do not let doubt creep in, for it is only a tool of the enemy. Ours is not to make others believe, it is only to tell the Truth of Christ. Belief is a grace that comes from God.

I suggest my friends begin their evangelization by speaking to their pets about Our Lord before speaking to strangers. Our pets, too, were made by God, and love to hear about their Creator. They love it when we talk to them; they never doubt and are patient as we practice listening for the words the Holy Spirit gives. For years, I thought my practice was odd, yet today, for the first time, I see that Jesus commanded, “…proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”