The Beacon

The Power of Invitation 

Written by Kevin Dwyer

Last month’s Beacon discussed the importance of our Relationship with God, how to build and strengthen that Relationship, and how that Relationship leads us to discipleship. But what does discipleship mean, and how can I actually practice discipleship?  

Well, Jesus gave us a pretty good idea of what discipleship means when he commissioned the apostles. 

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) 

So, discipleship means sharing the Good News of the Gospel. And Jesus gave us wonderful examples of how to share the news. After all, he started his Church by inviting his early disciples. 

• To Peter and Andrew – “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19, Mark1:17) 

• To John and James – “He called them, and immediately (they) followed him.” (Matthew 4:21, Mark 1:20) 
• To Matthew – “Follow me.” (Matthew 9:9, Mark 2:14) 

These were invitations to come and see, to share what Jesus offers, then and now. Each apostle freely chose to follow. As disciples, it is our turn to invite someone to share what we enjoy as Catholic Christians at St. John Neumann Parish. 

Our Invitations Are Offers to Share 


My invitation should tell my invitee that I am inviting them to share something good, something that I find very worthwhile and that I believe they will also enjoy and benefit from. St. John Neumann offers us many opportunities to invite someone to join us. There are Bible studies, lecture series, Alpha, visiting speakers, beautiful liturgies, the SEEK Conference, and so much more. 

Click here to find events and invite others to join you.

How to Make a Powerful, Meaningful Invitation 


• Pray! – Prayerfully consider your invitation – whom you should invite, and what experience might best benefit him or her. Pray for them and for guidance on what you should invite them to and when. 
• Be Personal – Make your invitation in person. Get face-to-face, so the person you are inviting can see that you are serious and care about them. Tell them why you want them to come, and why you think they will benefit from sharing this experience. If they seem to be on the fence, ask them, “Would you pray about joining me for this?” 
  
  "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring (the) good news!” (Romans 10:15) 
  
• Be Sincere – Our invitations should come from a place of love and caring, no matter what we are inviting them to.  
  
  “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.” (John 15:12) 
  
• Be Persistent – No, not nagging, but following up! If someone has been undecided, check back and ask if they have any questions, or ask if there is any way you can help make it work for them. And if someone says, “It doesn’t work now”, come back to them another time. Let them know that you are there and care. 
  
  "But how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14-15) 
  
• Be Humble – Yes, while persistently offering sincere, loving invitations, remember that you cannot know God’s will for someone else. But also know that your prayerful invitations can help them discern God’s will for them. 
  
  “Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who causes the growth.” (1 Corinthians 3:7) 
  

A Final Thought 

Saint John Henry Newman said: “God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another.”  


There is someone – friend, relative, neighbor – whom only you (or I) can invite to join us, to share the Good News. This week, let’s pray for discernment – whom to invite, to what event – and make the invitation.