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Come and See: The Power of a Simple Invitation

Come and See: The Power of a Simple Invitation

Last updated on: October 25, 2026 at 5:00 am by Michele Gunn

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Come and See: The Power of a Simple Invitation 2026-10-13T07:48:05-05:00 Michele Gunn

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Welcome back to the final edition of the Graceful Awakening mini-series called, “From Faith to Mission.” It has included the following:

Oct 4: Know Your Faith (“Do You Really Know Your Catholic Faith?”)
Oct 11: Live Your Faith (“Personal Evangelization: Your Faith Story Matters”)
Oct 18 Tell Your Faith Story (“Catholic Evangelization: Sharing Your Faith Every Day”)
Today, Oct 25 is Invite (“Come and See: The Power of a Simple Invitation”). I pray this series helps you understand that knowing your faith and living it are essential to living out our Call to baptism in the Catholic faith.

You are invited!

Come and See: The Power of a Simple Invitation/Created in Canva

Come and See: The Power of a Simple Invitation

The phrase “come and see” comes straight from John 1:46. When Nathanael questions whether anything good can come from Nazareth, Philip doesn’t launch into an apologetics lesson. He simply says, “Come and see.” What an incredible model for personal evangelization! It is simple. Philip doesn’t force. He doesn’t argue and he doesn’t pressure. He only invites. It is Nathanael’s encounter with Jesus that does the rest.

Sometimes Evangelization Is Simply Opening the Door

Inviting someone into our faith can feel very uncomfortable. What if she says no? What if he thinks I’m judging him? She may think I’m trying to convert her and that may make her feel uncomfortable. What if it makes our friendship awkward? Because of these reasons and more, sometimes we say nothing. If that happens, pose the opposite question: What if she has been waiting for someone to ask? That’s the shift. An invitation isn’t a demand. It’s an open door. Remember, we are not trying to convert people to Catholicism. Our goal is to bring people to Jesus. We invite them to come and see.

Jesus Invited People Into Relationship

Jesus frequently invited people rather than coercing them. His invitations were:

Come and see.
Come, follow me.
Remain in me.

He invited people into encounters and relationships with Him. That’s what we’re inviting someone into as well. We are not simply inviting someone to attend a religious event. Ultimately, we are inviting them toward an encounter with Christ. We provide the invitation, maybe guide them with testimonies, tools or events, and then let Jesus take it from there! It is really quite simple. You just have to be available to make the invitation.

What Does Invitation Look Like?

Sometimes it may be hard to start offering invitations. What will you say? How will it be received? No worries, here are some ideas:

“I’m going to Mass Sunday morning. Would you like to come with me?”
“Our parish is having an Advent program next week. I think you’d enjoy it. Want to go together?”
“I’m going to Adoration for a little while. Have you ever been?”
“A few of us are doing a Bible study. You’re welcome to join us.”
“Would you like me to pray with you?”

That last one is important. Sometimes the first invitation isn’t through the doors of a church. Sometimes it’s an invitation to experience God’s presence right where you are. If you encounter someone who tells you they are going through a hard time, listen and listen intently. Offer support and encouragement and then offer to pray for them or with them, right then and there. Think of some opportunities to offer an invitation.

Don’t Just Invite, Accompany

Suppose someone actually says yes. Then what? Don’t simply tell her what time Mass starts. Ask her what would be the best time for her to attend. Then, go with her. Meet her outside and sit with her. Mass can be very intimidating for those who do not know what to expect. Explain beforehand what she might experience. Help her follow along without making her feel self-conscious. And, especially if she’s not Catholic, graciously explain Communion beforehand so she doesn’t unexpectedly discover during Mass that she shouldn’t receive the Eucharist. Plan to go for coffee or a meal together afterward. During conversation ask, “What did you think?” Listen. Don’t quiz and don’t pressure her to come back.

Remember that personal evangelization is relational. Invitation opens the door while accompaniment walks through it beside someone. Also remember, that this is not a “one and done” situation. Be there to answer questions and to offer the invitation again. There should be questions, but they may come at a later time. Just remember that this should be an encouraging and positive experience. Be there, just as Jesus would.

What If They Say No to Your Invitation?

Fear of rejection is real and often keeps people from offering invitations. There will be people saying no. A gracious response would be, “No problem. The invitation is always open.” Make sure you mean what you are saying. Continue being their friend and develop the relationship.

Don’t treat them differently and don’t withdraw. Don’t make every subsequent conversation another attempt. Let them see Jesus in you. Love isn’t conditional upon someone’s response to our invitation. They may not be saying never. They simply may be saying not yet.

Let God Work With the Invitation

Let God work. You don’t need to know exactly what God is doing in another person’s heart. Maybe your invitation is the first seed or possibly twenty people have planted seeds before you. Maybe that person has been quietly praying. She may have already been thinking about returning to church for months. You aren’t responsible for knowing where you are in someone else’s story. You’re simply responsible for being faithful when God gives you an opportunity to enter it. Remember the invitation in John 7:37, “On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and exclaimed, “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.” You are simply here to help them find Jesus like a guide. God takes care of the transformation.

Rise, Align, and Shine Through Invitation

This ties perfectly to my book, Rise. Align. Shine. Living Boldly in Faith, Purpose and Joy. I wrote to help you become closer to God and the person He created you to be. You can apply those principles in the following way:

Rise

Have the courage to ask. Don’t decide someone else’s answer before giving her the opportunity to respond.

Align

Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment. Who are You placing before me? Where are You already working? When should I speak? When should I simply listen?

Shine

Open the door. Extend the invitation and allow Christ’s light (not pressure, persuasion or your own cleverness) to draw the person forward.

Come and See

To sum up this month’s articles:

First, know your faith. You cannot confidently share something you don’t understand.

Then, live your faith. Let Jesus become visible through the way you love, work, forgive, serve and respond to life.

Then, share your story. Tell someone what God has done, not because your story is extraordinary, but because God is present within it.

Finally, invite. When the Holy Spirit opens the opportunity, have enough courage to say: “Come and see.” Leave room for God to do what only God can do.

Live From Faith to Mission: Personal Evangelization in Everyday Life:

Know your faith. Live your faith. Share your story. Extend the invitation.

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