Evangelization

Safe in the Storm: Faith, Jesus, and the Journey Back to Shore

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 14:22-33

My brothers and sisters, I want to begin today by telling you the story of a man—let’s call him Michael. Michael was a faithful husband to his wife, who had been handicapped for many years. He worked hard throughout his life, building a career in an office, supporting his family with love and quiet strength. But as the years went by, he found himself facing the challenge that so many in our world know too well—he was laid off, not because of his work ethic or his skills, but simply because of his age.

Michael had more degrees than most of us could hope for—multiple Master’s, years of experience, and the sort of reputation that makes people smile when they hear your name. Still, every application, every interview ended the same way: “We’re sorry, but we’re looking for someone else.” Each rejection stung, not just for what it meant for his own future, but for his wife as well.

Yet Michael refused to give up. He decided that if the world would not give him a job, he would make one himself. He studied, he passed test after test, he learned the ins and outs of financial advising, determined to help others navigate the stormy waters of their own lives. But it wasn’t easy. Each day brought a new challenge—one day it was marketing, the next it was finding clients, the next it was another bill he wasn’t sure he could pay. It felt, he later said, as if he was stuck in a tiny boat, far from shore, battered by winds and waves, and never sure if he would make it.

There were times when Michael felt completely alone. His friends could not help. His efforts seemed to disappear into nothing. He wondered if his boat—his life, his hope—might finally sink.

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Jesus Christ: The Bread That Satisfies

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

Reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 14:13-21

Dear Friends in Christ,

There once was a man named Anthony who seemed to have everything. His career was thriving, his home was beautiful, and his table was always full of the finest foods. Yet, despite these earthly comforts, Anthony often felt a strange emptiness gnawing at his soul. He filled his days with meetings and his nights with entertainment, but none of it brought him peace. One evening, as he walked home, he passed a homeless woman shivering on a bench. On a sudden impulse, he stopped, bought her dinner, and sat beside her as she ate. As they talked, Anthony listened more than he spoke. She told him about her hopes, her faith, and her gratitude for small kindnesses.

In that moment, Anthony felt something stir within—a spark, a warmth. He realized that all his worldly bread had left him hungry, but through this simple act of charity, he tasted a different kind of bread: the Bread of Life, offered through Christ, that brings light and love into the heart. That night, Anthony went home changed. The emptiness had faded, replaced by a quiet joy that seemed to overflow. He had found, at last, a food that satisfied.

From then on, Anthony sought out ways to help others, discovering that each small act of kindness left him more fulfilled than any luxury he had known. Sharing Christ’s love and grace with his neighbors, he finally understood what it meant to be truly satisfied.

God Provides

Today’s Gospel shows us a crowd hungry for more than food. When Jesus hears of John the Baptist’s death, He seeks a deserted place, perhaps to mourn, to pray, to grieve in silence. But God’s grace always overflows. The crowds follow, longing for something deeper than what the world can provide. Moved with compassion, Jesus heals their sick. As day fades, the disciples worry about bread. Yet, Jesus looks not at what is lacking, but at what God can do with even the smallest gift offered in faith.

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The Hidden Treasure: Finding Jesus in the Ordinary and Investing Our Lives in His Love

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

Reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 13:44-52

Dear Friends in Christ,

There’s a man on Main Street, the kind we all know — suit, tie, briefcase, stuck in the morning rush. Every day, he passes the same coffee shop and, sitting on the sidewalk outside, an older woman bundled in layers, her hair tangled, hands stained with city grime. She’s there in every season, always looking a bit invisible to the world. Most people cross to the other side, but one chilly morning, something stirs in the man’s heart. He stops. He asks if she’d like a coffee and a donut. She smiles, surprised, and accepts. They sit together, and he listens as she speaks about her life, her struggles, but mostly about her deep love for God and for people — even those who walk right past her. She quotes the Gospels, talks about forgiveness, and shares stories of kindness she’s both received and given.

The man, who hasn’t been to church in years, feels something awaken in him, something he thought he’d lost. In the weeks that follow, he keeps coming back. The old woman becomes his friend, his teacher. Her words echo in his mind: “You find Jesus in the ones you least expect.” Moved and changed, the man returns to church, to prayer, and to the Lord who had been waiting for him all along.

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Mary of Magdala: A Reflection on the Apostle to the Apostles

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By: Jackie Kierulf

Of all the beloved saints my maternal grandmother introduced us to, she didn’t have much to say about Mary Magdalene. Historically, this particular Mary is believed to be from Magdala, an ancient fishing village located on the Sea of Galilee in Northeastern Israel.1 Perhaps Mary Magdalene seemed too much of an outcast to acquaint us with. After all, how do you explain to a young child that Jesus had expelled several demons from a woman who then experienced tremendous healing and became a follower of Jesus? But Mary is no different from you or me, someone striving for holiness in a world that so desperately needs to know and live the message of God’s love and mercy.

Christ’s Appearance to Mary Magdalene after the Resurrection (1835) by Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov – Public Domain Catholic Painting.

A model of faith and true witness

Mary Magdalene, originally possessed by demons and healed by Jesus, was truly devoted to the Lord, financially supporting his ministry, and even remaining with him at the foot of the cross while most of the apostles fled and hid.

Mary had no doubt that the man who addressed her at the empty tomb on that Sunday morning was her Rabbi. She became an “apostle’s apostle,” tasked by Jesus to tell the others of his rising from the dead.2 Regardless of whether her fleeing by boat to the south of France, preaching and evangelizing, and living in a mountain cave, is true, Mary’s mission as the messenger of salvation began.

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From Weeds to Wheat: The Transforming Mercy of God

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 13:24-30

Dear Friends in Christ,

There was once a boy, not much older than fourteen, who wandered the dusty back roads near a small farming town at the turn of the century. He was an orphan, left to fend for himself in a world that hadn’t shown him much kindness. Hungry, alone, and desperate, he became a thief—not by nature, but by necessity. He learned to move in the shadows, taking just enough to survive. One night, while slipping into a barn to steal some bread and milk, he startled the farmer’s dog and in his scramble to escape, he tripped and broke his leg. He lay there, helpless, expecting the worst.

But what happened next changed his life. The family who owned the farm—devout Catholics—found him in the morning. Instead of anger or condemnation, they showed him mercy. They tended his wound, gave him food, and offered him a place to stay. They prayed together at meals, went to Mass on Sundays, and worked the fields side by side. Slowly, the boy’s heart softened. He learned about Jesus—a savior who welcomes the lost and heals the broken. He became a son in every way that matters, growing from a frightened orphan into a young man with hope and purpose.

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Holy Laughter: Why Joy is Essential in Evangelization

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Sponsored: This article is made possible by Catholic Card Game, supporting quality and engaging Catholic content.

“Joy is the net of love by which we catch souls.”
—Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Let’s be honest: no one wants to join a movement that looks miserable. The early Christians didn’t spread the Gospel by groaning through Galilee. They were known for their joy. Their laughter echoed off prison walls. Their eyes shone even in persecution. Joy wasn’t just a bonus. It was the proof that the Good News was actually good.

Too often today, evangelization is reduced to debates, dour sermons, or social media posts that read like divine cease-and-desist letters. But what if the most powerful tool for evangelization isn’t argument, but amusement? What if, instead of trying to be taken seriously all the time, we followed the advice of Saint Philip Neri: “Let us make fools of ourselves from time to time, and thus see ourselves, for a moment, as the all-wise God sees us.”

Saints Who Smiled: Philip Neri and the Patronage of Joy

Saint Philip Neri, the patron saint of joy and humor, didn’t see laughter as a distraction from holiness. He saw it as a highway. He once shaved half his beard before a meeting—on purpose. When someone asked him if they could wear a hairshirt as penance, he replied, “Only inside out and over your cassock.” Why? Because holiness isn’t a performance. It’s not for show. Joy keeps us real. And being real is where conversion starts.

Neri understood a basic truth: solemnity is not the same as sanctity. Joy is contagious. Humor is disarming. If you want to open someone’s heart to Christ, a well-timed joke might work better than a lecture.

I’ve found this to be true even in my own life. I started The Simple Catholic blog not just to catechize, but to reconnect with joy—mine and yours. In a world that takes itself too seriously, Philip Neri reminded me that sanctity often looks like someone who doesn’t need to prove anything. Someone who knows they are loved.

Joy doesn’t have to be a solo act either. Sometimes, it looks like sitting around the table with friends or youth group teens, playing The Catholic Card Game and belly-laughing at absurdly holy prompt-answer combos. It’s in those moments of lightness that hearts open naturally to something deeper. Evangelization often starts with connection, and joy is one of the strongest bridges.

Laughter as a Leap of Faith

G.K. Chesterton said it best: “Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.” That’s not a cute metaphor. It’s spiritual physics. When we cling to our pride, our reputation, our need to look “put together,” we sink. But when we surrender all that heaviness and laugh—even at ourselves—we rise. We fly.

Laughter is a leap of faith. It says, “I’m not afraid.” I’m not afraid to be silly, to be wrong, to be humbled. Why? Because I trust that God is good, and that He delights in me, even when I look ridiculous. That kind of joy is attractive. It evangelizes without preaching.

Chesterton warns us that “pride is the downward drag of all things into an easy solemnity.” It’s easy to be heavy. It’s much harder to be light. But that’s exactly what Jesus calls us to: “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). When we carry that lightness—spiritual joy—we become walking invitations to the Gospel.

I recently experienced this with my own family during a game night. We cracked open Council at Daybreak, a fast-paced Catholic twist on the classic Mafia-style social deduction game. Within minutes, we were laughing, accusing, defending, and yes, trying to uncover the heretic in our midst. What struck me wasn’t just how fun and easy it was to learn, but how naturally it brought out joy, discussion, and connection across generations. Games like this are a subtle but powerful way to build community. And in doing so, evangelize with joy.

The Gospel Is Not Grim: Evangelization with a Smile

Somewhere along the way, many Christians bought into the idea that the holier you get, the more serious you must become. As if heaven is a long staff meeting where nobody laughs, and all the saints just nod solemnly at one another over harp music.

But that’s not the faith we profess.

We follow a God who turned water into wine at a party. A Savior who welcomed children and praised mustard-seed faith. Jesus didn’t need to wear a sign that said “Messiah.” People were drawn to Him because He exuded something irresistible: joy.

When we share the Gospel without joy, we’re not offering the whole truth. As Venerable Fulton Sheen put it, “A divine sense of humor belongs to poets and saints.” If we truly believe in the Resurrection—if we really believe death has been defeated—then shouldn’t we be the most joyful people around?

Evangelization isn’t just about information. It’s about invitation. And no one RSVPs to a joyless dinner party.

Joy is a Witness the World Can’t Argue With

Mother Angelica once said, “I try to laugh a lot, because life is funny, and everybody today is too serious. The only tragedy in the world, my friend, is sin.” That’s the secret. Joy doesn’t ignore suffering—it transcends it. Christians aren’t joyful because life is easy. We’re joyful because God is with us in it.

Laughter reminds us that we’re not God. That’s a relief, by the way. It grounds us in humility and reminds others that this whole Christianity thing isn’t about perfection. It’s about transformation. When we laugh at ourselves, we’re giving others permission to breathe. To be themselves. To let grace in.

Saint Teresa of Avila said it plainly: “God save us from gloomy saints!” And she was right. Gloom doesn’t glorify God. Joy does. Joy is what makes people stop scrolling and ask, “What’s different about them?”

The world has plenty of cynicism. It’s drowning in it. What it needs is light. Joy. A people who know the punchline of the story: that Love wins, and they live accordingly.

A Joyful Challenge for You and Me

So here’s the challenge: if you want to evangelize, smile more. Tell a joke. Share a meme. Laugh at your own awkwardness. Tell the truth in love, but make sure it’s the joyful truth.

Evangelization doesn’t always mean street preaching or quoting catechism paragraphs. Sometimes it’s simply being the kind of person others want to be around. The kind of person whose laughter gives others permission to hope.

Maybe it even starts with a game night. A box of cards. A mystery heretic. A round of laughter that turns into a moment of grace.

After all, “Rejoice in the Lord always,” Paul tells us in Philippians. “Again I say, rejoice!” That’s not a suggestion. It’s a command from a man who wrote those words from a prison cell. Joy isn’t naive. It’s powerful. It’s subversive. And it’s “resurrection-colored” hope in a Good Friday world.

So go ahead. Be holy. Be honest. But for heaven’s sake, be funny too.

Thanks again to today’s article sponsor! Visit Catholic Card Game for fun Catholic games to play with your friends and family.

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Rest for the Weary: Trusting Jesus to Lighten Our Burdens

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 11:25-30

Dear Friends in Christ,

I want to begin today by sharing a story that might sound familiar to many of us. There was a family in our parish—a mother, a father, and three young children—who, just last year, found themselves walking a path they never expected. The youngest child, only seven, was diagnosed with a chronic illness. Suddenly, life became a series of hospital visits, sleepless nights, and endless worries. The bills stacked up. The parents, already stretched thin, began to feel the weight of the world pressing down on them. Even the simplest tasks—preparing dinner, helping with homework, taking a moment to breathe—became burdens too heavy to carry.

At first, the family tried to manage everything on their own. They told themselves they had to be strong, that they couldn’t show weakness. But as weeks turned into months, exhaustion set in. Tensions ran high, patience ran low, and the joy that once filled their home seemed lost beneath the stress and fear.

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