“Young people, the Church asks you to go, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to those who are near and those who are far away. Share with them the freedom you have found in Christ.” -Pope John Paul II

Evangelization is pretty exciting stuff. It comes from a Greek word, evangelion, which means “good news!”

Recently, my good friend Noel and his wife sent me an email announcing the birth of their first son, Luke. I’ve known Noel since elementary school and when I heard the news I was full of joy! This is evangelion, good news!

We’ve all experienced good news of different types: getting an “A” on a test or quiz, winning a sports game, a day off from school due to snow, and on and on I could go.

However, if we add up all the “good news” in the world and in our own lives and multiply it by one million, it doesn’t compare to the central “good news” found in the Bible, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him, might not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

This isn’t just pretty good, this is awesome news! And when you really get a glimpse, even just a drop of God’s ocean of love for you personally, that is good news worth spreading!

So, what are practical ways to spread Jesus to others?

• Love Jesus. Receive Him in Communion, talk to Him everyday (he loves you!), get a youth study Bible and read it.



• Ask Questions. In religious education or youth group or family devotions take time to learn about your faith.



• Live Love. Be kind & welcoming to all: friends, family, and even those you don’t like!



• Stand Up for What is Right. Even if it isn’t popular.



• Tell Others. Tell others what you liked or learned at Mass, youth group, or religious education.



• Invite friends. Ask friends to join you at youth group or other Christian events, ask them what they think about Jesus.



• Pray for Others. Ask Jesus to heal people who are sick or struggling through difficulties.

The Holy Spirit wants to use you, just like a musician plays an instrument, to tell others about Jesus and His great love for them. So, let’s take up the call to evangelize by spreading the good news of God’s love to all those we meet!

Take a few minutes of silence and pray this prayer from your heart: Dear Jesus, thank you for your great love for me! Thank you for my family and friends. I ask you to be the center of my life; I want to have a personal relationship with you. I want to evangelize. Fill me with the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

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Pete Ascosi works for ChristLife, a Catholic ministry for evangelization in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Maryland. He is a young adult and is recently married to Ally. They live together in Catonsville, MD. This article was originally written for “Faith in the Real World” a classroom magazine for Catholic junior high school students.