We are not very good at inviting. I can’t tell you how many conversations I have had with Catholics recently when that phrase came up. Why is that? Can we grow deeper in holiness by inviting?
Some of you may be thinking you could never ask someone. I ask people if they will come to an event or program at our church and there is hesitation. I imagine they don’t get asked to go to a church event very often. I get it; this isn’t a normal request nowadays. It is not like, “let’s go get a casual cup of coffee,” instead it is, “let’s go get some spiritual nourishment and possibly talk about things that may make us uncomfortable.” Right?
It may be hard to invite, but it may be equally hard for the person to accept. If we enter into this invitation with sensitivity to the person on the receiving end, we might be more successful. Frankly, people might not want to be asked, as much as we don’t want to ask them. However, Jesus’ ministry would not have gotten very far without inviting. He asked, too. He said to go make disciples, which requires invitation. It is now our turn to invite. Go make disciples in the new year!
Katie Price is the Coordinator for Stewardship at the Cathedral.