Christ calls us to take risks in order to open ourselves and invite others to an encounter with him. In The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis offers this guidance, "The Gospel tells us constantly to run the risk of a face-to-face encounter with others, with their physical presence which challenges us, with their pain and their pleas, with their joy which infects us in our close and continuous interaction. [EG 88]"
Whenever we take a risk for Christ, we move out of our comfort zone and into an area of uncertainty. But we will never be alone. Christ will be working through us, opening new doors, and blessing us with situations that we never expected.
Watch 'Javier's Story' as a young man describes how an act of kindness he experienced as a child gave him the courage years later to comfort another person in a time of need.
Javier's story is one of a series of videos developed by RENEW International as part of the Be My Witness process. These real-life stories offer examples of Catholics witnessing to the power of faith. The videos and companion book form the core elements of the small-group phase of the parish formation process designed to engage parishioners as disciples in daily life and in parish evangelization outreach.
For more encouragement, read Sharing the Love of Jesus with Others.