A few years ago, someone recommended the reading of DEDICATION AND LEADERSHIP by Douglas Hyde, an ex-Communist (in Great Britain) who had become a Christian/Catholic. Most instructive is the LIFESTYLE he adapted in order to promote the false "gospel" of Communism; his book is a challenge for Christians to consistently and sacrificially bring the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. Like the bread and fishes, the Lord will work with what is CURRENTLY available and multiply if we but put it in His hands, for His glory. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Now, think of how delighted He was at the Centurion's faith - "just say the word"! Consistent, "small" outreach efforts can be done by anyone - giving/mailing an icon card (keep extras), donate/recommend Eastern Catholic books, etc to local public library, etc. Let us to the Lord pray for one another that our eyes be opened to the many opportunities for sharing the Gospel right where we are (not seeing the forest for the trees). It is truly a glorious Wedding Feast … and we're part of God's plan in going out and sharing our King's invitation.

In Christ's love,

Woody


Here are some excerpts (Notre Dame Press, ISBN 0-268-00073-5):

"Do you remember what life was really like in the Party? You got up in the morning and as you shaved you were thinking of the jobs you would do for Communism that day. You went down to breakfast and read the Daily Worker to get the Party line - to get the shot and shell for a fight in which you were already involved. You read every item in the paper wondering how you might be able to use it for the cause.

"I had never been interested in sport but I read the sports pages in order to be able to discuss sport with others and to be able to say to them, 'Have you read this in the Daily Worker?' I would follow this through by giving them the paper in the hope that they might turn from the sports pages and read the political ones too.

"On the bus or train, on my way to work, I read the Daily Worker as ostentatiously as I could, holding it up so that others might read the headlines and perhaps be influenced by them. I took two copies of the paper with me; the second one I left on the seat in the hope that someone would pick it up and read it.

"When I got to work, I kept the Daily Worker circulating. One worker after another would take it outside, read it for a few minutes and bring it back to me again. At lunchtime, in the canteen or the restaurant, I would try to start conversations with those with whom I was eating. I made a practice of sitting with different groups in order to spread my influence as widely as I could. I did not thrust Communism down their throats but steered our conversations in such a way that they could be brought round to politics or, if possible, to the campaigns which the Party was conducting at the time.

"Before I left my place of work at night, there was a quick meeting of the factory group or cell. There we discussed in a few minutes the successes and failures of the day. And we discussed, too, what we hoped to be able to do on the following day.

"I dashed home, had a quick meal and then went out, maybe to attend classes, maybe to be a tutor, maybe to join some Communist campaign, going from door to door canvassing or standing at the side of the road selling Communist papers - doing something for Communism. And I went home at night and dreamed of the jobs I was going to do for Communism the next day ...You know, life had some meaning and some purpose in those days. Life was good in the Communist Party." (pp.22-24).