Evangelization

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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A Cup of Cold Water: Serving Christ in the Little Ones

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 10:37-42

Dear Friends in Christ,

There’s a house on the edge of town, old but warm, with wide porches shaded by tall trees. In it live Mary and Joseph—an older couple, married nearly fifty years. Their children are grown, the rooms are mostly empty, but their hearts have only grown larger with the years. They’ve made a quiet promise to God: if someone is lost, hurting, or needs a place to begin again, their home will be open.

One winter, a man named Tom came knocking. He’d once worked with Joseph, years ago, when things were easier. But Tom’s world had unraveled—alcoholism, a painful divorce, and now, jobless, he was left with two small children and nowhere steady to go. He was ashamed to ask for help, but Joseph and Mary didn’t hesitate. They welcomed him and his children in. Mary cooked warm meals; Joseph sat with Tom late into the night, listening, praying, helping him plot a way forward. For months, Tom lived in that house. The children slowly smiled again. Tom found sobriety, and eventually, work. He moved out, but he never forgot the gift of shelter and hope—given not because he could repay it, but because he was in need.

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Choosing Christ Over Treasure: Walking the Way, the Truth, and the Life

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 10:26-33

Dear Friends in Christ,

Imagine a man named Jose, standing at a crossroads in his life. After years of hard work, Jose suddenly loses his job. He’s anxious about his future, not knowing how he’ll provide for his family. Friends and colleagues gather around him, each offering their advice—some well-meaning, some not so much. “Jose, you just have to do whatever it takes to make money,” one says. “Forget about your scruples. In this world, you have to chase after gold and treasure, or you’ll be left behind. Cut corners if you need to. That’s how people get ahead.”

Jose listens, but deep down, he feels unsettled. He remembers how fulfilled he felt working at the parish food pantry, helping families in need and comforting the lonely. He isn’t sure that chasing money at all costs is the answer. Instead, he feels drawn to serve, to lift others up, and to find meaning in loving his neighbor. Yet, the pressure mounts. Bills don’t pay themselves. The voices pushing him towards worldly success grow louder, and Jose finds himself torn between the world’s promises and the quiet tug of his conscience.

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3 Reasons Why I Don’t Argue with Opponents of the Catholic Church

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Editor’s Note: Post originally published on June 9, 2019.

This weekend I heard the following comment on the floor as I began work, “Catholics and I don’t get along much. I live to destroy Catholics.” While his statement may certainly be hyperbolic—that co-worker is definitely known for exaggerated and bombastic claims—there is truth to it. During my college years, his statement would have provoked righteous anger. Immediately, I would have engaged in debate on the level of St. Nicholas, the hectic-puncher, himself!

St. Nick Heretic puncher

According to Venerable Fulton Sheen, “There are not one hundred people in the United States who hate The Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic Church to be.” Perception trumps reality more often than not. Refraining from leaping to judgement, unlike my co-worker, will allow me to demonstrate the love and truth of Catholicism. This article will look at three reasons why I no longer debate opponents of the Catholic Church.

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Living the Eucharist: Sharing Christ’s Love in Everyday Moments

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of John 6:51-58

Dear Friends in Christ,

Before our children moved out of our home, most evenings, the five of us would gather around our kitchen table. The table wasn’t always perfectly set—sometimes it was just a simple meal, a pot of soup, a loaf of bread, maybe a few apples. But every night, we laughed together, shared stories from our day, and always took a moment to pray—thanking God for His blessings and asking for the grace to follow Jesus in all we do.

I remember one winter when our neighbor Jimmy, a Vietnam veteran who had become a dear friend, fell seriously ill. Jimmy was a man who had seen much in life and was quietly fighting his own battles every day. Moved by the Holy Spirit, our family knew we had to help. We began inviting Jimmy to share our meals whenever he felt up to it. My children and I would stop by to visit him and help with his yardwork, while my wife checked on him regularly and made sure he got to his doctor’s appointments.

These weren’t grand gestures—just small acts of kindness, offered from the heart. Yet as we cared for Jimmy, we felt a new sense of peace and warmth in our home—a gentle grace that lingered long after the meal was over, a reminder of God’s love alive among us. In these moments, we realized that living the Eucharist means letting the love of Jesus flow through us, sharing His presence not only in church but in the everyday ways we serve, encourage, and lift each other up.

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