Brag book promotes active evangelism

	Tom Rinkoski

Another grandparent bought us our first "Brag Book." My wife finished it in time to take it to Sunday Mass with us. I was the first to walk to the opposite side of church with the picture book and "brag" about my grandson. I am beginning to have a new appreciation for St. Paul's energy and commitment to spreading the Good News.

Lent
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Grandparent bragging is a form of evangelism, spreading the good news! I've memorized the baby's height, weight and can offer reflections about whose nose my grandchild has. I've got stories about the nurses, Tommy's boss, and Naomi and Jonah's learning about the birthing process.

I prepped for this season of life by telling stories about my own children (which my daughter and sons will embarrassedly attest to). I am a storytelling grandfather turned evangelist.

Those who know me understand that I do not mince words regarding my feelings about St. Paul. But this new role as grandparent/babu is making me more St. Paul-like everyday. As he said, back a couple of Sunday readings ago, "I do not need letters of recommendation to preach," I just need my brag book. You can get gospel crazy in direct proportion to how much you are convinced what you have is truly good news. I am convinced that my grandson is truly good news!

To be a good evangelist you need a healthy sense of confidence. Good news should make you feel good about yourself. St. Paul proclaims that he is not embarrassed by his call to preach the word. Walking the line between feeling confident and becoming obnoxious is a balancing act for sure. But, neither is there room for anonymity in the ranks of grandparents and evangelists. The act of spreading good news means you have to get up close and personal with others.

Some high school students I've taught say I have a way of invading personal space. The good news is good news because you believe it really makes a difference in the world; first, because it has made a difference in your world. The Samaritan woman ran to tell everyone in the village the good news given her by the traveling prophet Jesus.

Good News is not measured in its enormity or impact as the news media might wish you to believe. Usually, it is truly good news when someone really listens to you. I know mothers who think it is good news when their teen cleans his/her room! I remember when a first kiss was good news that you didn't quite know how to share. I remember when my daughter called to tell me she found a house to rent. Her excitement was infectious, even over the phone from miles away. I've done the house thing all too many times, but not like this. She was sharing Good News.

Most of us feel ourselves searching daily for good news. What I have discovered is that the best Good News is often sitting right in front of us. Most calls from the World Trade Center, as it was collapsing, were to home. These were the captains of industry, the people piloting our economy, those who create the news, people with power who knew how to move mountains. Yet, their last sentences sent nouns and verbs homeward, "If I don't make it out of here, know that I love you." Just thinking about this should be good news for each of us left alive.

When was the last time you heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed in a way that it hit you like really Good News? What do you need to make that happen? Make it so.

Who was the last person who proclaimed Good News to you? What was the news? How did they approach you? What was your response?

When was the last time you had Good News that rocked your world, fired your engines, and made you want to go and tell a story? What was it? Make it your Lenten practice this week to find someone you can tell that story to again. I would welcome your Good News. Call me at (920)437-7531 or toll-free at 1-877-500-3580, ext. 8304.

(Rinkoski is the Green Bay Diocese's Family Life director and a professional story-teller.)