Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth. - 1 Corinthians 3:7

For the past few weeks I’ve been writing about how important it is that we, as disciples, invite other people to encounter Jesus: the difference an invitation can make; praying for people we want to invite for 21 days; the difference invitations from others made in my own life; how Jesus calls us to invite people. So you might think, “Well, of course, he says that he’s a priest. It’s easy for him to invite people to something like Alpha. People probably just say yes and amazing things happen for them as soon as he invites them.”

I can respond with one word: Nope.

I’m actually pretty nervous and shy about inviting people to Alpha. I don’t want to feel like I’m pressuring them. I think things like, “What if they say no?” I fear “failing” at it. Just the other day I could have invited someone I was thinking to invite…and I chickened out! (I still have till Sept 24 to try again though. :-) )

I have invited a number of people to Alpha each time we’ve held it the past few years at St. Raphael. But honestly, a number of parishioners have invited more people than me and seem to have the knack for it more than I do. And most of the people I’ve invited have not actually decided to try Alpha as of yet.

So no: I’m not a super confident or super “successful” inviter. So don’t feel like you have to be either. For my part, I’m just going to keep asking God to give me the courage, and love, to overcome my nervousness and make some simple and no-pressure invites to Alpha for this Fall, especially to the people on my prayer card for our Luke “11:02” prayer campaign. And I’m going to leave the results in God’s hands. We help sow the seeds, but God’s the one who provides the growth and the fruit, in his time and way. Jesus is the Savior; I’m just a follower and disciple.

So, fellow disciples – Alpha begins again on September 24. Will you join me as a (not so great) fellow inviter, and invite three people you know?

Thanks!
Fr. Phil Hurley, S.J.
Pastor