In a recent Sunday Mass reading, Jesus says:
Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? (Luke 17:17)
That is a question, we must ask ourselves – where are the others? Who do you know that is not actively participating in Mass, or has stopped going all together? Is it a sibling, a co-worker, a neighbor or a friend? I imagine most of use can easily come up with nine people.
In Msgr. Charles Pope article about this Gospel reading, he brings up evangelization and how this applies to each of us. Most of us get nervous when when hear the word evangelization. Wikipedia describes as “process in the Christian religion which seeks to spread the Gospel and the knowledge of the Gospel throughout the world.” Which still sounds a bit scary. But as Msgr. Pope says it starts with a few simply questions:
- How have you been?
- I haven’t seen you in Church recently. Are you OK?
- Can I help?
- Come with me back to Mass this Sunday.
Take a few minutes to read the entire article “Where are the Other Nine? – A Question YOU must Answer”. And take a few minutes to invite someone to Mass with you.